1. MYTHS AND LEGENDS

3. The city of Ioannina is deservingly called as the city of The myths & The legends

4. The legend goes that Ioannina is first 1) In arms 2) In money 3) In education

5. 1. In arms The organization and participation in the prerevolutionary rebellion in 1611 which was planned by Bishop Dionysus the Philosopher. The rebellion was a failure and the revolutionary Bishop had his skin removed Ali Pasha sealed the history of the region with his presence and deeds

6. 2. In money The city had an important economical growth due to benefits which were given to the city during the Ottoman domination Silver craft became a tradition in the city of Ioannina The caravans, which were mainly towards the Balkan peninsula and Central Europe, contributed in the development of trade and commerce in the region

7. 3. In education Famous schools such as Balanios, Kaplanios and Maroutsea were established The legend of the Secret School is still alive especially around Philanthropinon monastery on the lake island The most important places of the city are closely connected with its history, myths and legends

8. Kaplanios School

9. The lake

10. Its mist covers the history of the city, since Lady Frosini was drowned in it along with 17 more well-off ladies from Ioannina by Ali Pasha One hundred centals of sugar He threw into the water So that it becomes sweet For the lady to drink

11. Durachani monastery

12. The legend of the monastery is also connected with the lake Durachan Pasha was supposed to have crossed the icy lake along with his troops which was considered to be a miracle After this event the pasha himself had the monastery built

13. Lady Frosini A beautiful woman from Ioannina, whose story is connected with the city itself and especially with the lake and the city castle The lake is also called Frosini lake by local people She was married to a wealthy merchant She was a rich, pretty and emancipated woman of Ioannina bourgeoisie

14. Among her admirers was the pasha’s son, Muchtar Her liberated lifestyle irritated the local community and urged the pasha to put her to death Thus, she was put along with other 17 women into leather bags with heavy stones and they were all thrown into the lake water She has been the subject of many artistic works and a tragic figure of the modern Greek history

15. Frosini’s drowning

16. Lady Vassiliki

17. She was the pasha’s favourite woman but also his legitimate wife It is said that when she was 12 years old she approached the pasha in order to save her family Her life changed since then and her beautiful appearance led the pasha to fall in love with her who married her in 1808 She could influence the pasha, move freely inside the palace and exercise her religious rights

18. She also used her power to help the Greek people who were in danger After the pasha’s death she was taken to Istanbul as a prisoner When the Modern Greek state was established she returns back home and settles in Etoliko – a village fairly near to Ioannina- until her death

19. Ali Pasha

20. He ruled Ioannina pashalik for 33 years He even managed to establish an almost independent state within the Ottoman empire A lot of things have been written about him, either praising or criticizing him Some people present him as a great personality and others as a scheming tyrant

21. During his domination the city of Ioannina had the looks and the fame of a capital city and the advantages of a great Court where Turkish, Albanian and Greek people worked without being discriminated because of their race or religion Ioannina became an important Greek state, the centre of trade, education and art One of his virtues was his religious beliefs. He was tolerant and free from religious fanaticism He was a competent politician and diplomat and he took considerable actions abroad