Widely also known as Pamvotida or Lake of Ioannina! One of the very few lakes that feature an island with over 600 residents!
A lake that is believed to have been in existence for more than 10,000 year! A marvel of nature!
The beautiful lake Pamvotis extends in 23 square kilometers, 470 m above sea level. The lake was formed in 10.000 BC. The depth of the lake varies from 3 – 13 meters and has a perimeter of 33 km. Its maximum width is 5 km and is 7.5 km long. The city of Ioannina lies on the west side of the lake.
It is the most important lake of Epirus. The waters of the streams and the fountains (such as the fountain of Drabatova) around it gather their waters in the lake. The surplus water is lead through the Lapsista canal to the river Kalamas.
Each year there are many sports even held in the lake, such as water skiing, canoing, paddle, etc.
Ali Pasha, the notorious Turk commander, drowned lady Frosyni and 16 other women in the lake. Also, Dourahan Pasha of Roumeli crossed the frozen lake with his army, thinking it was land. He considered it a miracle and built the Christian monastery of Dourahani, In the years 1888, 1928, 1958 and 1992 the lake froze in the degree that the inhabitants of Nissi were going to Ioannina on boot or by bicycle over the frozen lake.
The small island in the lake is the only inhabited island in Greece without a name. It is simply called Nissi which in Greek means island. The Historical museum of Ali Pasha and the many post-Byzantine monasteries are some of the attractions of the island.
