Monuments in Himare, Himara - Albania

PANAGIA KASOPITRA - A Byzantine church of Panagia with an icon - the Mother of Christ - who is believed to be wonderful. In periods of drought, the people of Himara sang hymns to its icon and then heavy rains started on a short time ... SPYROMILIOS RESIDENCE - The old mansion house of the Spyromilios family that played such a major role in the history of Himara. Spyros Spyromilios liberated Himara in 1912 and was its leader for a certain period. AGIOI PANTES (ALL SAINTS) Church built around 1775 at the entrance of the Castle. Cosmas Aetolos preached here and the church, now renovated, is once more the cathedral of Himara. MONASTERY ATHALIOTISSAS On the mountain slopes above Himara there is the old monastery to Panagia Athaliotissa. Access is only on foot. MONASTERY AGIOU THEODOROU - Between the villages Liates and Drymades is this monastery dedicated to Saint Theodore. MONASTERY PANAGIAS DRYMADON This monastery is a pure white building; located on the peak over the village of Drymades has distinctive architecture. PANORMOS CASTLE (and PALERMO) South of Himara on a small peninsula is a closed and safe bay of the same name lies Panormos Castle, built by Ali Pasha of Ioannina at the dawn of the nineteenth century and still in excellent condition. PALAIO KIPARO (or ANO KIPARO - OLD OR UPPER KIPARO) – The entire village is picturesque, with its traditional architecture, the stone cobbled streets, the old churches composing an overall magical image. Of particular interest are the erection inscriptions on various houses. The family of George Tenet, former head of the CIA came from this village originally. MONASTERY AGIOU DIMITRIOU - At Kato Kiparo (Lower Kiparo) there is a white, renovated monastery dedicated to Saint Demetrius with a church of the same name. SOPOTO CASTLE - Near the village of Borsi along the mountain line lie the ruins of the Byzantine castle of Sopoto. The castle is hard to reach and the only access is on foot. SPILIA TON PIRATON (THE PIRATES CAVE) - North of Himara on the beach there is a large cave that can only be accessed by sea. The place is amazing and the beach ideal for a quiet swim. According to legend, the cave once provided a haven for pirates. BEACHES Himara is known for its wonderful beaches, most of which are pebble beaches, although some have sand. Spilia, the central beach of Himara attracts a lot of visitors in the summer. Further on there is Prinos, Potami,Filikouri, to the south lie Lamana, Kiparo, Borsi, the beaches at Pikerni (Bouneci) and Loukovo andKakomaea at Nivitsa (with a very perilous road). Beneath the Castle of Himara is the Livadi and then to the north lies Giali, Foussa, Zissos, Zypaea, Karkaniki, Gialiskari at Drymades, Palassa and Dralaios. At various points on the beaches of Himarra the water is cold because of the underground springs that exist. A few dozen metres away from these points, however, the water temperature rises once more to normal levels. During the summer months many small boats offer rides to the beaches near Spilia. Check your accommodation in Himara: Click Here..>>