Parga :: Comparisson reports

“Fig and almond trees are planted near homes. They don’t dry the figs here. The cultivated species here are: green figs called fracazzagna and black ones which mature in the month of June. There are also small green and brown figs which mature in August. There are not bitter almonds here, and there are just a few examples of almonds called chios with the thin skin.

There is a lot of good quality fruit here. Before, it was exported towards the interior of Epirus, Janina and nearby islands, but their quality is worse now. Also, due to the phylloxera infestation, the fruit cannot be exported to other Greek regions. In addition, it is often ruined while being transported along rough roads into the interior of the country. That’s why they only export oranges, lemons, peaches, apples, grapefruit and pomegranates to Margariti and Janina.

In the small valleys formed by wavy hills, especially near the city, we find orange and lemon groves, but especially grapefruit (Citrus decumana). The latter grow much better here than elsewhere due to the springs which come from the hills. That’s why they are grown in such large numbers. They have been an important part of Parga’s commerce since ancient times, reaching Epirus and Morea where they were exchanged for wheat.”