Elati (Trikala), Greece

Elati is a highland summer resort of Greece. It lays at the south part of the Pindos mountain chain, 32 km away from Trikala city. The village has built an amphitheater in a forest, at a height of 900 m. on mountain Kerketio (Koziakas).

According to tradition, Elati was inhibited a few years after Constantinople was conquered by Turks. This is evidenced by Byzantines findings. The present location of the village is fairly new. The village before 1943, was located more western near the river. That was the year that the village was burnt by the Germans. Along the driveway from Trikala to Elati, it is worth sightseeing the Porta Panagia church, built in 1283 in the large village Pili, as well as the arched bridge, over the Portaiko river, which was built in 1514 by Saint Bissarionas.In this area there are many monasteries.

Monasteries still in operation are Moni Gouras, and Saint Bissarionas, both located at Pili's area. The rest of the monasteries are deserted, but they can still be located near the villages of Neraidohori, Pirra, Desi, Gardiki.

Visitors to Elati can enjoy many sporting or other activities. During the Winter, a small ski center, located in the 7th kilometer on the way to Pertouli, is operational. Also there is a stamina-ski course. During spring and summer, there are many paths for a walking tour in the forest with springs and meadows, and also long roads in the forest to be traveled by car, motorcycle, mountain bicycle even on horseback. At a quarter of an hour from the village on Kokkinos Braxos location, are three climbing stages. Below the highest peak, Koziaka , there is the Xatzipetros's shelter which can provide accommodation for 20 people.

In the area's rivers, there is fishing and swimming in the cold and crystal-clear water. A large variety of wild animals exist in the forest, such as pheasants, partridges, woodcocks, hares, roes, bears, and wolves. A special reference must be made for the area's flora which varies a lot and that's why Koziakas is considered to be Asklipios`mountain.

References

http://www.kroupi.gr/area.html