Lake Kremasta is the largest artificial lake in Greece and is the natural border between the prefectures of Evritania and Aetoloakarnania, which are connected by the impressive bridge of Episkopi.
This vast beauty stretching across 81 square kilometres, was created in 1965, when one of the largest dams in Europe was built, the Kremasta dam, which brought together the waters of the rivers Agrafiotis, Acheloos, Tavropos and Trikeriotis.
Although its construction required the “sacrifice” and gradual sinking of 20 villages, the lake a living proof that when human interference in nature’s ways is made with the utmost, universal and absolute respect, the result can be positive. The lake is the cleanest in Greece and its shores are a friendly home to endangered and rare species such as otters, wolves, golden eagles, common pipistrelles etc. It is no surprise that the area is included in the Natura 2000 program.
The folds on its walls, although indicating a lowering of its level, look like they were drawn by the hand of a post-impressionist painter. At the bottom of the lake, rest arable plots, fountains, churches, such as the 1300 years old church of Episkopi, as well as villages, which either sunk or were destroyed by the earthquakes that accompanied its creation. The only thing that persistently resisted being dragged to the bottom is the legendary single-arched bridge of Manolis, which still stands, despite the fact that it was “built in 1659”, as indicated on the built-in inscription. It stands on the riverbed of the river Agrafiotis, after the village Krenti (42 km from Karpenissi) and although it may from time to time sink entirely, each time it emerges again above the surface, having beaten the power of the lake for yet another year.
