|
|
|
FEATURE PROPERTY - AGNI, NORTH EAST CORFU
 
|
Nestled
in the hillside, close to Agni, and just 5 mins walk from the beach,
this plot of 3175.97sqm boasts stunning views of the sea, Corfu Town as
well as the Greek mainland and Albanian coastline. With a building
license already in place for a 4 bedroomed property of 280sqm with
garage and swimming pool this is an ideal opportunity to construct your
holiday retreat or permanent residence. As part of the plot is located
within the local town plan there is the potential to build up to 400sqm
of prime living space in one of Corfu's most sought after locations.
PRICE: 190,000 EUROS
|
|
Article Headline
|
GREEK NATIONAL COSTUMES
There are many national
costumes in Greece, the most
well known is  the Foustanella/Tsolias which
was worn by diplomats and warriors and subsequently declared the national costume for
men. It is found in mountainous areas and was worn mainly in the Central and
Southern parts of Greece.
The costume derives its name from the pleated white skirt (Foustanella) made by
triangular shaped pieces of cloth called "langolia" which are sewn
together diagonally. The Foustanella skirt consists of 400 pleats symbolizing
the years during which Greece
was under Ottoman rule. The Greek Fighters of the 1821 revolution wore the
Foustanella while fighting the Turks. Today it serves as the official uniform
of the Evzones, the Presidential Guard, who keep their vigil at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Athens.
The remainder of the costume is composed of a white shirt with a very wide
flowing sleeve, and embroidered woollen vest called the "fermeli" and
has panels hanging from the back. The vest can be blue, black or maroon, the
latter worn by the captain of the guard. A sash is worn around the waist, Footware comprises of shoes with large pompons on the toe area - these are known as Tsarouhia. 
The Vraka (seen opposite) is worn with some
variations on all the Aegean islands and is the classical type of male dress in that area. It consists of a panavaki (white undergarment), white shirt, karamani
(baggy trousers), koumbouri (sleeveless crossed waistcoat), sash, zaka (outer
jacket)) and megalo fesi (tasseled cap).
The Karagouna is the famous
female costume from Thessaly in Central Greece.
The Karagouna costume is a wedding dress with bright colours symbolizing the
wealth of the valley
of Thessaly.  This costume consists of an undergarment
which is a white dress with a thick black fringe edge, a wool coat with
handmade tufts at the edges of sleeves and embroidery at the hemline, a white sleeveless
coat ''sayias'' with decorated trim, a short red wool felt richly embroidered
waistcoat, and velvet arm bands with black or multicoloured fringe. Worn around
the waist is a red felt apron with bands of embroidered gold thread and finally
the black embroidered head kerchief scarf wrapped and then twisted around the
head and decorated with gold coins across the forehead. Distinctive features of
this costume, symbolizing the wealth of the bride, are the many rows of chains
of coins that are worn across the bosom. The apron is also decorated with a
brooch and silver or gold chain piece. 
The women's Desfina dress is
a peasant dress of the Fokida region of Greece. Tassels and fringe decorate
the white headpiece. It is an all white long sleeve dress. Over this is a long
white vest decorated with black and red cord. A bright red velvet apron that
ties above the waist is embroidered in gold thread
On Crete the women wear
pantaloons as is common to the southern islands of Greece. They also wear aprons on the
 front and back. Their black felt or velvet jackets are richly adorned with gold
embroidery, and they wear a necklace of gold coins. On their heads they wear
the black crocheted mandili (handkerchief) in mourning for the loss of the capitol of the
Byzantine Empire, Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The tassels dangling in their eyes
are said to represent tears for the people lost in the explosion of the
monastery at Arkadi in Crete. When the mandili
is lowered, it is a sign that they are not to be approached.
Finally the Corfiot dress consists
of the following pieces: a white cotton camisole, a silk or taffeta
skirt, a close-fitting belt made of gold-embroidered velvet, an apron made of
fine silk organza or tulle and embroidered with colourful silk threads of ribbons,
and finally, a gold-embroidered velvet waistcoat. Across the chest gold brooches and heavy gold chains are worn. The headpiece is adorned
with flowers and a white tulle or organza scarf. A characteristic
item is the large dangling earring worn only in the right ear. Since the
turn of the century, flat patent leather shoes decorated with silver buckles
and large black or red bows are worn. 
|
|
|
|
|
