The island in the middle of the Lake of Ioannina used to be home to the monastery of Agios Pantelaemon until 17 January 1822, when it gained a permanent place in Greek history and legend.

On that day, Ali Pasha, the legendary Ottoman ruler of Albanian descent was executed, at the monastery, by troops sent by the Sultan, from Constantinople, for the crime of insubordination. Ali Pasha had fled to the island after the defence of Ioannina to the 2-year siege by the Sultan's troops had laid on the city started collapsing.

The Turks promised Ali Pasha amnesty, arrived at the island supposedly to hand him the pardon papers that had arrived from the capital, and killed him. His body was decapitated and later buried next to the Fetihie Mosque, up on the castle of Ioannina. His head was taken to Constantinople, shown to the Sultan and then buried in a local cemetery.

Today, the monastery is a museum that tells the story of that day and of Ali Pasha's Ioannina.

You will also find a restaurant that serves local food, including lake seafood and frog's legs, and various gift shops. Boats leave from the quay in front of the castle every 10 minutes.

Lake island
452 21
Ioannina

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Molos means lake front where there is a variety of restaurants and sophisticated bars to choose from. I had enjoyed my first meal there and I kept going back again and again for more of that fresh trout and frog's legs that are delicious but they don't cost the earth! It's a must to visit any of the restaurants along the lake, freshness of ingredients and quality is guaranteed, plus there is a real buzz of Greek life at its best! I love going there in the summer afternoons when the city centre is quiet and all the Greeks go down molos for a long long lunch...

Ioannina
At the bottom end of Molos along the lake.
Prices from €6-€30
Open all day

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Anytime you are in Ioannina a walk alongside the lake is a must, especially in the hot months of the summer. People of Ioannina love to walk around the lake where there many cafe-bars and truly can feel the cosmopolitan and continental style. There is a lot of green and trees that make the walks very fresh in the summer. A very romantic evening around the lake where also can admire the sculptures and other design monuments on your way (it's like an outside gallery).

City Centre
Ioannina

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The castle of Ioannina was built in its present state by the legendary Ali Pasha, the Albanian-born, Ottoman governor of Epirus in the early 19th century, on the foundations of the old Byzantine fortifications of Ioannina.

The northeast end of the castle includes the madrassa, or islamic religious school, which today houses a lovely Museum of Weaponry, and the Mosque of Aslan Pasha, which today houses the Museum of the City of Ioannina.

The southeast end is the Its Kale, or Inner Castle, and was the main compound of the Ali Pasha administration and living quarters.

The castle of Ioannina is the core from which the city expanded to its present size, and included all the major civic monument and sites of the city, including the synagogue of the once mighty local Jewish community.

Castro
452 21
City Centre
Ioannina

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One of the best hotels I have ever stayed in, minutes from the lively and full of stylish people city centre. I felt like I was in heaven, fantastic service and huge bedrooms and bathrooms. One of the good things is that it is a short drive from the ancient theatre of Dodoni and about 35 minutes from the Ioanian sea for sanbathing and swimming. Don't forget the amazing and traditional food, excellent.

7th Km. NR Ioannina - Athens 452 21 Ioannina Tel: +302651 093555 Fax: +302651 092595 www.epiruspalace.gr

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In the heart of the city with all the classy locals dashing for their lunches. Open every Midday & Night. Lively in late evening. Reasonable priced food of high quality!

Ioannina, 45 Averof Street, PO 452 21; Tel: +3026510 26477

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This is a must for all those willing to try a special type of regional cooking that involves heaping red-hot embers over a gastra - the conical cast-iron lid that's lowered onto the baking dish holding the food (lamb, goat, pork, or chicken), which then roasts slowly to appear on your table as an especially succulent meal. It's delicious. Main courses €6-€18.

Eleousa, along the Airport-Igoumenitsou Hwy. (7km/4 miles outside Ioannina; 3km/2 miles past the airport) +3026510 61530

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If you have only one meal to eat in Ioannina, it has to be at one of the restaurants on the islet out in the lake. Greek cuisine, mainly seafood, reasonably priced. You can choose your fish on the spot and a bit later you can eat it! It can not be any fresher. Main courses €5-€15.

Take the ferry from the lake front to the islet and it is very easy to find from there. People will love to help you to find it.

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This is the house restaurant of the Olympic Hotel and has become a favourite gathering spot for foreigners and Greeks who like to feel they're at Ioannina's crossroads. The decor is sophisticated, service is a formal-casual, and the menu ranges from Greek to Italian. Main courses €6-€20

Tel: +3026510 25147; On ground floor of Olympic Hotel, 1 block off Central Sq, Around Town

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