Koronisia

Koronisia

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Koronisia or Korakonisia or Kyronisia is an island complex in the Amvrakikos Gulf, at a distance of 25 km from the city of Arta.
The environment: Small islands in a circular arrangement joined together by narrow strips of land, forming inland lakes and giving the image of a Polynesian atoll. It is believed that a reef once united the islands, a remnant of which is the narrow ground that connects them. Today, however, their morphology and the opalescence of water shades create a scenic environment rightly characterized as the Greek “”Polynesia””. At the same time, it is a magnificent wetland harmoniously integrated with the abundance of the Amvrakikos Gulf. The area is famous for the numerous species of fauna it hosts. Tsoukalio lagoon is home to the rare and endangered species of the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) (about 35 pairs). At the same time, the warm, shallow waters are an ideal breeding ground for many species of marine fauna. Soles, flathead grey mullets, sea basses, sea breams, eels, shrimps, cuttlefish, and rays are just some of the fish species that live in the waters of Koronisia.
The village: In one of the islands, the so-called “”Pera Nisi””, the picturesque fishing village, also known as Koronisia, expands. The houses are developed in a circle on a small hill, overlooking the landlocked sea and the boats mooring in the port, providing the fish taverns with fresh fish and seafood. The village, according to the 2011 census, has 167 inhabitants. Previously, from 1997 to 2010, it was part of the Municipality of Amvrakikos based in Aneza. Today it belongs to the Regional Unit of Arta. The primary occupations are fishing and tourism. The fishing village has been developed as a tourist destination because of its natural beauty and fresh fish. It is easily accessible since a paved access road connects it with the land.
Monuments: Apart from the beautiful natural and residential environment and the culinary appeal, Koronisia has one of the most important, mid-Byzantine (late 10th century) monuments of the area of Arta. This church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin. It is also known as the Virgin of Koronisia and is celebrated on the 8th of September. The monument was the monastery’s katholikon (central church building), having a solid economic and historical presence in the area during the Byzantine and the Ottoman periods. Saint Onoufrios, honored as patron saint on the 12th of June, lived as a hermit in the area.
Another historical monument is the well-preserved castle of Koulias, one of the forts of Amvrakikos Gulf, which functions nowadays as an event venue.
The Battle of Koronisia: Koronisia is directly connected with the constant military operations in eastern and western Sterea, during 1828-1829, since the governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, attempted to include Sterea in the borders of Greece. One of these conflicts was the battle of Koronisia. The victorious outcome interrupted Kioutachis’s road to Roumeli. The leader of the Greeks was Athanasios Koutsonikas, who, in January 1929, disembarked on the island with 1,000 men and fortified it. Kioutachis, with 5,000 soldiers, barracked on the land across, and the conflict was fierce. The Turks fled and returned to Preveza. A little later, on the 10th of March, the Protocol of Independence was signed in London, which defined the first land border of Greece, the Pagasitic-Amvrakikos line.

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