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In the centre of the lake Pamvotida is found its amazing all green islands, which combines the beauty of the natural environment with the rich historical tradition. Its graphic traditional settlement, with the small whitewashed houses, his paved streets and the famous monasteries, give the perfume of older seasons and fascinates the visitor. Here was built at the Later Byzantine Period an important monastic state with monasteries and hermits that are saved until today.
The small Island (with an area of 350,000 m2) appears verdant, surrounded by dense reed-beds. The village has been built at the northeastern end of it, under the shadow of Mt. Mitsikeli. Traditional houses with tidy yards and small shops of folk art wait for the visitors to walk the stone-paved cobbled roads. The residents of the Island, more than 120 families, claim that they are not locals but they came here from Mani, Peloponnese, in the 17th century. They occupy themselves with fishing and tourism, or they work in the city. While walking in the picturesque lanes of the Island, one can see the caiques and the boats approaching from the northeastern front of the lake, the closest land spot. The only slab-paved road of the Island will lead you to the central square of the village, where is the parish Church Kimiseos Theotokou (Assumption of the Virgin Mary) with the impressive bell-tower, dating back to 1868. Following the left path you will reach the Monasteries of Ag. Nikolaos Philanthropinon, Ag. Nikolaos Ntiliou or Stratigopoulou and Eleousa.
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The view of the city from the specific location is splendid. The Monastery of Ag. Nikolaos Philanthropinon was established by members of the homonymous byzantine family. Portraits of several members of the family are depicted in the esonarthex of the katholikon. The whole church is covered with remarkable wall-paintings of the 16th century, creations of significant anonymous artists, which at times have been attributed to Fraggos Katelanos and the Kontaris brothers. The painted interpretation of the Scriptures which takes place in front of the visitor, is an indication of the high culture and aesthetic of the monks and artists that lived or worked in the 16th century in Ioannina. The same feeling dominates when looking at the hagiographies of the nearby Monastery of Ag. Nikolaos Ntiliou or Stratigopoulou.
From the path of the monastery you come down to the road that skirts the Island and at a small distance you will reach the Monastery of Ag. Nikolaos Ghiomaton or Methodaton, which today is known as Monastery of Eleousa. The maintainance and restoration works are progressing at a quick pace. It is destined to house a model Cultural Centre and the Ecclesiastical Museum of the Metropolitan Church of Ioannina.