Ropoto

Eleven km southern from Pyli, in an altitude of 750 metres, Ropoto is stretched out that is consisted of seven settlements: central, Tsekouras, Panagia, Polythea (Mousia), Agios Ioannis, Agjos Dimitrios and Loggjes. Its residents mainly, who work on arboriculture but also are farmer-breeders, reach the number of 850 in the winter and 1300 during summertime.

Right and left the central settlement unfold 3.500 acres of chest nut wood, where wild boars, wolves, foxes and jackals live, as well as partridges and woodcocks while all the region round the village is literally drowned in fir (15.000 acres.). The really picturesque scene of the village, supplement the 15 sources that refresh it – among them those of Goura, Mourtzies, Jtia, Sgourolivado and Koromilia – and the tributaries of Portaikos river, Ropotianos and Palikarias. Going up in the famous top of Karavas (1618 m.) one can enjoy an amazing view of the Thessalian plain. Beginning from there the path leads, through a most beautiful way on foot, up to Panagia the Spilia of Argithea Karditsa.

Ropoto was once a thriving village and home to 300 families, but a landslide in 2012 turned the village into a ghost town. Today, forgotten by people and authorities, Ropoto’s terrain is still sinking, slowly moving the half-standing structures.

The story is deeply tragic. In the 1960s cracks started to appear the land surrounding the town, leading to plans to abandon the settlement. However, by the early 1980s this decision was being ignored and building was occurring apace. But on 12th April 2012 a major movement event occurred, and 300 families had to evacuate the town at very short notice. The damage to Ropoto is now so serious that it cannot be restored.

The village had around 300 houses and almost 800 residents, while today there is totally abandoned. Most of the villagers were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, while in the village there was a watermill and 4 traditional distilleries. The damage from the retreat of the ground is huge and the situation is constantly deteriorating. The phenomenon of subsidence in Ropoto is constantly evolving and worsens when it rains or when the snow melts, turning the place into a ghost village.