Sklithro

Sklithro (Greek: Σκλήθρο, Macedonian Зелениче Zeleniče) is a small village of the Aetos municipality located about 40 kilometres southwest of Florina, the capital of the prefecture of Florina in northwestern Greece. It is situated in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Vitsi mountain range halfway along the Amyntaio – Kastoria local road. Sklithro is currently inhabited by 609 permanent residents (census 2001). At its peak in the first part of the twentieth century, the population of the village had reached about 3,500 inhabitants. The population decrease can be attributed to many causes including World War I, the population exchange with Turkey following the Treaty of Lausanne, World War II, as well as the Greek Civil War which had a devastating impact on Sklithro and the sorrounding region. Following the Civil War, the village saw a mass exodus of people migrating to North America, Australia, and other European countries, where opportunity and a better way of life existed. Today, the village is experiencing a bit of a rejuvenation. Many of the formerly abandoned homes have been or are in the process of being renovated. Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the village and is celebrated with an annual potato festival in the month of August. During the summer months tourism also plays an important role as many of the former residents return to visit the land of their birth or ancestors. Also, nearby are the tourist attractions of Nymphaio and the Arcturos bear refuge.