In the East rises the mountain chain of Korila (1658 metres high) and leaves only a narrow pass to the Prefecture of Ioannina - Skala of Paramythia. In the West it is shut in by low mountains which separate it from the plain of Margariti.

The town is amphitheatrically built and the last houses are built in the mountain-slope under the Castle of St Donatos. In the foot of the town flows the small river Kokitos which is known from the mythology and it was formed, according to mythology, from the tears of the relatives of the dead who were taken away by Death leading them with his boat to the underworld, through Lake Aherousia.

The ancient settlement of the town today belongs to the Copper Age (2.500 - 11th century B.C.). This area stretches from the ancient castle of "Galata" in the West to the polygonal walls (they do not exist now) in the South end of the town, in the prehistorical position of "Sardakia".

The fortified castle is situated Over the town where the view to the plain is bewitching.

It is called St Donatos Castle; it took its name by the fame of the Bishop of Evia, Donatos (4th century A.D.). His church was built in the castle; St Donatos was the patron saint of the castle and the whole region. A part of the holly relics of St Donatos was brought from Venice and it was placed on 28 - 9 -2000 in the Cathedral of Paramythia which has the same name with St Donatos.

The prevalent view for the origin of the name of the town is the following:

Towards the end of the 12th century it is thought that the complete devastation of the important town of Fotiki took place, very close in the West of the castle (where Limboni is today). Its inhabitants were gradually taking refuge in the castle where they built new houses. A large number of the population felt more secure in the Monastery of Virgin Mary Parigoritria which was situated in the South of the town where "Megali Ekklisia" is situated today. From the word 'comforter' that in the ancient Greek is called "Paramythia", the second name predominated because for many centuries in the Church of Virgin Mary the town has been mentioned with two names: "Agios Donatos" and "Paramythia".

As far as the date of the conquest and the settlement of the Turks in Thesprotia is concerned two are the most prevalent viewpoints: The first accepts the year 1430 which coincides with the surrender of Ioannina, but 1449 is more acceptable when Arta was surrendered to Turks and the Domain of Epirus was disrupted.

The number of Turks that settled was small at the beginning. In order this number to rise the Turkish policy at the beginning enforced the islamization of the citizens by offering them some privileges but later they adopted more harsh and violent measures. These measures were adopted widely with a lot of cruelty especially after the unsuccessful revolution of the Metropolitan bishop of Trikki from Paramythia Dionisios Filisofos who, with the help of his comrades, tried to free Ioannina in September, 1611. The tragic end of Dionisios and his comrades followed the cruel percecution of the Christians of Paramythia.

A general islamization took place after the war of Souli against the Sultanic forces in 1732 - which was instigated by the Venetians. These cruel tactics were adopted again because of the resistance of the inhabitants of Souli.

After the fall of Souli (1803) the consequences for the glorious and flourishing until then town of Paramythia were tragic. Ali Pasas deported many Moslem elders who cooperated with the inhabitants of Souli and killed a great number of Christians. So, in 1809 the town had 400 Muslim and 40 Greek families.

It is very important that the Greek language was spoken as the native language by the Muslim citizens of the town - and the region - but they also spoke Albanian. Most of their manners and customs were the same as the Christians'. They were not very familiar with the Religion so they were not very devoted to it.

A great number were cryptochristians and they expressed devoutness and respect to their ancestral Religion. However, in order to perform their religious duties many important Christian Churches were converted into Mosques. Until 1944 eight of them had been preserved. The most important, situated in a very beautiful spot was the mosque of "Vasileos", above the fountain of "Tsaousi", which was erected by the Sultan Voyiazit A'. The same Sultan erected the mosque in the castle of St Donatos (Aidonat Kalesi).

The Muslims showed respect to the Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary of Paramythia which is preserved in a perfect condition until today. In 1453 the relics of St Spyridonas were transferred from Konstantinople by the vicar Georgios Kaloheritis and they were positioned in that Church. But becuase of the insecurity that prevailed in the region, some years later, in 1456 the relics of St Spyridon were transferred to Corfu were the Church of St Spyridon is situated today.

It is worth mentioning that in Paramythia and the areas around even though the Albanian language was spoken by the Turks (and the islamised Christians in many villages) there was not Albanian population. The evidence of this is a letter by the Metropolitan bishop of Paramythia Neofytos which was sent to the President of Epirus Association in Konstantinople in 1912.

The castle of Paramythia

Koulia

The Byzantine baths in Paramythia

Old town of Paramythia

Old town of Paramythia

Old Town of Paramythia

Old Town of Paramythia

Old Town of Paramythia

Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary of Paramythia

Old gate of a house

The old clock

Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary

The monument of the 49 elders