Pistiana
A small mountain village at 595 metres, with a large 19th-century basilica and a benefactor who left a legacy to Arta.
- Location
- About 22 km from Arta, altitude 595 m
- Residents
- 40 (2021 census)
- Church
- Nativity of the Theotokos, 8 September
- Benefactor
- Nikolaos Priovolos
Pistiana is a small mountain village about 22 km from Arta, at 595 metres. It had 40 permanent residents in the 2021 census and 69 in 1991.
History
The earliest known source is the Venetian archives, which record that the village paid tribute in 1697 in exchange for protection from pirates. The census of 1845 listed 29 Christian families and the Ottoman census of 1895 recorded 38 households and 106 people. The village was liberated in 1912.
The church and the feast
The parish church of the Nativity of the Theotokos is a large basilica of the late 19th century, designated in 1997 a monument of special state protection. The main feast is on 8 September.
A benefactor
Nikolaos Priovolos (about 1780–1848) came from Pistiana and died in Trieste. His will left 100,000 drachmas to the community of Arta to pay teachers and support poor students.
