Kalodiki Wetland
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Nature | Wetland
Road Transport | Walking / Moderate hiking
The Kalodiki Wetland is located at the southern end of the R.U. of Thesprotia, where it borders with the R.U. of the Preveza, on a plateau created at an altitude of approximately 100m. between the mountains of Parga and Margariti. This is a lake area, the level of which varies from season to season, given the variations observed in vegetation and weather conditions. (Management Body Kalama – Acheron – Corfu, n.k.).
It is considered as one of the most “important and special wetlands in Greece with great ecological and special aesthetic value”. Its importance is derived from all its characteristics, the bird fauna that it hosts mainly as a station of the network of migratory stations of birds in Western Greece, its rich vegetation especially the presence of water lilies, the fact that it is a freshwater wetland and many more (Management Body Kalama – Acheron – Corfu, n.k.).
It has been designated as a “Special Area of Conservation (SAC)”, included in the European Ecological Network Natura 2000, with code GR2120002. Along with other wetlands in the wider area, it has also been designated as a Special Protected Area (SPA) with code GR2120006. Finally, according to the characterizations of Laws 1650/1986 and 3937/2011, the wetland of Kalodiki has been characterized as a
“Nature protection area” due to its great ecological and biological value “(Management Body Kalama – Acheron – Corfu, n.k.).
“It is an inland wetland with 7 habitat types, 5 of which are included in Directive 92/43 / EU. Of these, the habitat “Lime swamps with Cladium mariscus and Carex davaliana” is a priority “. 301 species of plants, 120 species of birds, 20 mammals, 11 reptiles and 5 amphibians have been recorded in the area (Management Body Kalama – Acheron – Corfu, n.k.).
The wetland of Kalodiki, also known as the lake with water lilies, was named after the queen of Thesprotia Kalodiki.
Suggested Activities
In the Kalodiki wetland “there is no path designed for taking a walk, however there are perimeter carved rural roads, on which a visitor can walk and enjoy the view from different locations, between the reeds and other aquatic plants can observe with binoculars, wonderful wading birds and coypu’s (myocastors) sunbathe, graze, swim”(Management Body Kalamas – Acheron – Corfu, 2020b).
It is important to remember that all animals, which find shelter in the area, “need isolation and are sensitive to disturbances” (Management Body Kalamas – Acheron – Corfu, 2020b).
According to the Management Agency you can also stop in the village of Pyrgi and walk on the west side of the lake to the intersection of the road leading to Parga. You can also rest in the small park, set up by the forestry department in the north, next to the road from which you can also view the lake, reach the wooden observatory, have an outdoor meal on the wooden benches and of course enjoy the scenery » (Management Agency Kalama – Acheron – Corfu, 2020b).
Remarkable monuments of the area that are also worth visiting as well are the ancient tower in the settlement of Pyrgi, at the crossroads of E.O. Igoumenitsa-Athens to Eleftheri, the settlement of Karteri for the Hellenistic buildings and the Byzantine cemetery – church in the center of the village, Margariti for it’s Venetian castle, the minaret of a damaged mosque and the old mansions in the traditional settlement (Management Body Kalamas – Acherontas – Corfu, n.k.).