Lentils En-caged in Time

Englouvi (means “caged”) is the most mountainous village of Lefkada and one of the oldest on the island. It dominates right in the centre of the island and is the largest in area. It is at 730 m. altitude and its name is due to the location of the village, as it is surrounded by mountains (caged). Its hardworking inhabitants, from generation to generation since ancient years, are engaged in the cultivation of lentils, unique in taste and nutritional value, on the plateau of the village of Vouni at an altitude of 900 meters. The plateau of Englouvi is included in the list of FAO as one of the 5 protected areas of unique aesthetic - natural and cultural beauty of Greece. The product is EU Protected
Designation of Origin (PDO) and the cultivation technique (alonisma) is intangible heritage.

Rural landscape category:
- Food and livelihood security
- Agro-biodiversity
- Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
- Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organisations
- Landscapes and Seascapes Features

Author(s): Nikolaos Thymakis
Photo Credit: Nikolaos Thymakis
Country: Greece