Agnanta

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Agnanta (Άγναντα) is one of the largest villages of an area called Tzoumerka in the prefecture of Arta, Ipeiros, Greece. With a population of 4,022 in 2001, it is located at a distance of 55 km north of the city of Arta and east of the city of Ioannina. The geographical centre of the village has an altitude of 650-700 m, while some of its highest districts approach an altitude of 1000 m. The name "Agnanta" has its origin in the Greek adverb "agnantia", which means "across" ("agnantevo"=look across, watch/look from far).

There are no documents or written evidence to certify when exactly Agnanta first appeared as an organized community. However, the first preserved written evidence is a "tapi" (Turkish notary document) from 1729, which refers to properties and forestal regions of Agnanta. Therefore, we can assume that an organized "village" existed there much earlier and probably since the early decades of the 1600s, when populations moved from other areas towards Tzoumerka due to indictments and diseases in other areas.

Agnanta is a very picturesque village of unique and pure natural beauty. Some of its key characteristics are its luxuriant vegetation and its natural springs. In its dense forests, a wide variety of trees can be found, among which firs, maple and pine trees dominate. Agnanta's vegetation composes an uninhibited natural landscape of marvellous harmony and a rich variety of colors, lighting and glint, which gradually transform and harmonize fully with the seasonal cycle of nature.

Visitors will experience great hospitality and warmth by the residents of Agnanta. For their entertainment and dining options they will be able to choose from a variety of traditional restaurants (taverns), two cafe-bars and a night club-pub. There are also two hotels of limited beds: a traditional stone-walled hotel ("Arhontiko ton Agnanton"), equipped with a fire-place, located in the center of the village and a modern-style hotel ("To Gefiri tis Plakas") located in the region of Plaka, approximately 15 km away from the village. A variety of outdoor activities is offered by the hotel owners and other companies as well, such as rafting, canoeing, hiking etc.

It is certain that a visit and stay in Agnanta is worth the time and effort of the trip and the visitor will find himself very soon rewarded with the unique beauty and hospitality of the region and its residents.