Samarina is located on an eastern spur of Mount Smolikas, the highest of the Pindus range and the second-highest mountain in all of Greece.

This village in the Pindos mountains with its Aromanian population enjoyed successful periods of exceptional economic growth and cultural development.

Its inhabitants tended sheep and goats and wove a woolen fabric called flokati ('nflucati, velentza), which they sold at the region's trade fairs.

The level of culture reached by this town (it had churches, schools and a library) is evident in the excellence of its religious painting.

Thompson entitled Nomads of the Balkans: an account of life and customs among the Vlachs of Northern Pindus, London 1914.