The small isle in the waters of Pamvotis offers relative serenity during times when lake travels are not that simple. Perhaps this is why Michael, member of the renowned Byzantine family of the Philanthropenoi, chooses to found or renovate, at the end of the 13th century, the monastery of Saint Nicholas. At the same time, following his example, the equally powerful Byzantine family of Stratigopoulos, founds a second monastery dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Slowly, the isle of Ioannina transforms into a center of monasticism, a small, floating Holy Mountain.