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The Name Passaron and the Historical Background of Rodotopi

In This Article:



Themistocles seeks asylum at the court
of Admetus, in ancient Passaron.
Oil painting by Pierre-Joseph François (1759–1851),
Louvre Museum


The Name "Passaron" in the Guitar Ensemble


The Guitar Ensemble of Rodotopi, Ioannina, is named “Passaron” in honor of the ancient city of the same name, which was once the capital of Epirus. Based on archaeological studies and findings (see below), it is highly probable that the city was located in the wider area of the Temple of Zeus Areios in Rodotopi.

Rodotopi belongs to the Municipal Unit of Passaron, within the Municipality of Zitsa, and lies 10 km northwest of Ioannina. Its population is 1,108 residents (2011 census). It is one of the oldest villages of the region, with its name recorded as early as 1319 in a golden seal of the Byzantine emperor Andronikos II. Within its area stand the ruins of the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus, directly connected to Ancient Passaron, the capital of the Molossians. At the village center is the Church of Agia Triada - the Holy Trinity - (15th century) and a folklore museum.

The Location of Ancient Passaron

According to extensive research (such as the excavations of Evangelidis in the early 20th century) and archaeological finds discovered near the Temple of Zeus Areios—today exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, including sculptures, coins, a column, a marble inscription, and a headless statue (see also the Proceedings of the Archaeological Society, 1952 for the excavation at Rodotopi)—the ancient city of Passaron is very likely to have been located at the site known as “Vortopos” in Rodotopi.

Another, more recent theory, connected with the archaeological exploration of the Gardiki “Kastri” hill, suggests that the hill itself may have been the acropolis of Passaron, due to its strategic location and its proximity to the Temple of Zeus Areios. However, there is still no definitive evidence or findings to fully support this view.


Fragment of a dedicatory inscription from
the site “Vortopos” in Rodotopi, Ioannina.
Archaeological Museum of Ioannina (no. 397).
 Photo: 12th Ephorate of Antiquities.
As mentioned on archaiologia.gr, “…The excavations of Evangelidis at the Rodotopi temple revealed, among other things, clay female figurines and a group of loom weights, while a large number of female figurines were also found during more recent research conducted by the 12th Ephorate of Antiquities...”
Read the full article here (in Greek): "An Inscription from Rodotopi and Its Significance"




Ancient statue found near
the Temple of Zeus Areios in Rodotopi


Proceedings of the Archaeological Society, 1952:

"The Excavation at Rodotopi"

(for access in English, please use appropriate translation software)





The Temple of Zeus Areios in Rodotopi

View of the Temple of Zeus Areios,Rodotopi.
Visible among other remains are fragments of broken columns

Musical performance by the Rodotopi Guitar Ensemble 
at the Temple of Zeus Areios (2018)


Drone view of the Temple of Zeus Areios (2016)



Church of Agia Triada in Rodotopi

The Church of the Holy Trinity is the central church of Rodotopi, believed to have been built around 1500 AD. It is a landmark monument for the village and the wider area. After restoration work to address structural damage caused by time and earthquakes, it was included in a preservation project to safeguard its wooden iconostasis and frescoes. These works, carried out between 2019–2021, were initiated by the Municipality of Zitsa and the Region of Epirus.



Church of Agia Triada in Rodotopi


Following the completion of this vital project for the protection and promotion of the region’s religious heritage, the church was delivered back to the community in a completely transformed state. Its interior now resembles a true, invaluable museum, in stark contrast to its former appearance, when much of its artwork had been hidden beneath lime and soot for decades.

You can explore the interior of the church through a professional 3D virtual tour at the following link: 3D Representation of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rodotopi (16th century).



Rodotopi, view from the hill south of the village (2014)

Rodotopi, view from Goritsa Hill (2014)
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