09. Abliani - Dentrouli - Domnista

Ambliani is a settlement in the county of Evrytania with a population of 13 inhabitants, of which the permanent residents during the winter season are even fewer. In 1928 it was renamed to Stavropigi, while in 1984 it was renamed again to Ambliani.

It is located in the southern part of the county and is built at an altitude of 1,220 meters. It belongs to the Municipality of Karpenisi and is about 62 km from Karpenisi and 31 km from Krikello.

The toponym "Stavropigi" refers to a Stavropigi monastery, which existed in the area during Byzantine times. The name "Ambliani" of Slavic origin, (albeit with reservation) is due to the many amblades (small springs with a lot of water) in the area.

According to various recovered findings, Ambliani must have already existed during the Byzantine era. In the year 1466/7 its population consisted of fourteen households.

Before the Revolution of 1821, Ambliani was considered the largest settlement in Evrytania after Karpenisi.

In the time of the Occupation, the villagers took an active part in the Resistance, paying, of course, the corresponding consequences, as the Germans burned the village.

Ambliani has always been a transitional community and was one of the few villages in Greece with this peculiarity. Its residents not only in the past but even to today do not live there permanently throughout the year. As the highest in altitude village in Evrytania, the weather conditions forced the residents to abandon the village during the winter months, phenomenon observed as early as the end of the 19th century. Some headed towards the area of Messolongi, which is also the winter headquarters of the community, and others towards Lamia, in which a settlement called "Nea Ambliani" was created, as the Amblianites rented fields for their animals there.

Ambliani was known for its production of textiles and traditional women's costumes. This is due to the important role that animal husbandry held in the lives of the inhabitants as there was an abundant production of wool, which was woven and dyed by the women. However, the help of men was also important in the making. According to stories of the older generation, men competed against each other for who would make the most wool. In the village there was also a rare type of loom, the standing loom.

Two of the village's churches, Agia Paraskevi and Agios Nikolaos, have been declared historic and preserved monuments by the Ministry of Culture. The central paved square of the village is decorated by a stone fountain, which is surrounded by six plane trees that are two hundred and sixty years old, while the also paved square of "Stegou" is particularly famous, as every year on the celebratory day of Agia Paraskevi, the local dance of the same name is held. it is not danced anywhere else. Amblianite men and women gather on this day wearing their traditional costumes, dancing and singing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. A remarkable folklore museum has also been created in the village.