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Zagori
ZAGORI.
A peculiar geographical and cultural unity consisting of 46 traditional
villages that are scattered in the east, central and west Zagori.
It is geographically located between Ioannina, Metsovo and Konitsa
with natural borders mainly Mitsikeli, Gamila and Aoos. The area
is a combination of scattered pines and firs, crystal clear waters,
traditional stone-made bridges, old manors, beautiful churches
and lush vegetation. An area with flora and fauna of the richest
in Greece not only in number of species but in rare ones also.
Here one meets the bear, deer, wild-goat, jackal and others.
Click on the small pictures to enlarge
East Zagori
Greveniti- Voutsas Monastery It is nestled in a forested slope, near the banks of the River
Vardas, 5km off Greveniti. According to tradition the monastery
was built by emperor Konstantinos Pogonatos. The temple is
dedicated to Panagia Theotokos, belongs to Agion Oros (Mount
Athos) school. Remarkable wall paintings are dated back to
1680.
Vovousa One of the biggest vlahohori of Pindos. It experience exceptional
growth during late Turkish domination years. it was burnt by
the Germans in 1943. The village crosses the Aoos River. A
big single arched bridge, built in 1743, joins today the riverbanks
and makes communication easier for
the people. The bridge is a starting point for kayak-lovers in
the Aoos River.
Kaberaga Bridge It spans the Zagoritikos River, near Miliotades. A single arched
bridge, its name is taken from Kaber-Aga; the gentleman who
donated he gave the money to built it.
Tsipiani Bridge A single arched bridge, over the Vardas River. Was constructed
in 1875 with funds from Anastasis Paspaliaris and the people
of Greveniti.
Makrino -Panagia Monastery
At the edge of the settlement is the monastery of Panagia, built
around 1700 with walls painted in 1792 by painters from Kapesovo.
The monastery developed important philanthropic and cultural
activity during Turkish Occupation.
Flabourari
Nested in a forested slope of Tsouka Rossa Mountain, at a height
of 1O00m. The old houses of the village were burnt by Germans
during Second World War. However the church of St. Nikolaos
was saved, a building dated back to 1774. Flaburari attracts,
many tourists, since it is on the road that leads to Vovousa
and from there to Grevena, through a landscape of exceptional
beauty.
Doliani
One of the prettiest villages of East Zagori, drenched in greenery.
Although old manor houses were burnt by Germans, the central
church of the village still stands and is dedicated to Panagia
Theotokos dating back to 1791. It has wonderful wall paintings
and a tower campanile on the east side.
West Zagori
Aristi - Monastery of Panagia Spileotissa Dedicated to Virgin Mary the Monastery is built on a rock, over
the west bank of Voidomatis River. The temple is dated back
to 1665. it was an important monastery with cultural activity
in the region of Zagori.
Papingo
A famous traditional settlement, built on the sides of Mt. Astraka
(at a height of 2.436m). It consists of two settlements Small
and Great Papingo that have kept their traditional appearance
unaltered with big manor houses, stone paved streets and springs
with crystal clear water. Remarkable are the churches of St.
Vlasios and St. Georgios (Great Papingo) and Taxiarches (Small
Papingo). Over small Papingo the towers of Astraka rise, while
near the settlement the visitor sees the ovires natural shallow
basins with clear water in rocky formations.
Drakolimni
It is the biggest lake of the national park of Vikos-Aoos and
is located in the mountains of Timfi at a height of 2.050m.
It stretches to about 5 acres. Here lives the alpine triton,
a rare amphibian species. A magnificent landscape as Mt Astraka
(2.436m.) and Mt Gamila (2.i$J7m.) rise high above the lake
impressive as they are. For the visitor to get there, a road
leads from Papingo to Astraka refuge, after 3 hours of walking.
From there follow the marked path to Drakolimni (approximately
one hour walk).
Central Zagori
Vikos Gorge.
Vikos gorge is at the west side of the National Park Vikos-Aoos
and crosses West and Central Zagori. Its length reaches approximately
12 km., and the height of steep cliffs exceeds 1200m. In many
spots, while its width is around 100 to 1O00m. The gorge is
water-made formation and is cut through by Vikos River, the
water is seasonal. Flora presents a wide variety of willow
trees, sycamores, sphendamos but also flowers and herbs. In
earlier days alternative doctors picked up herbs in the area
the so- called Vikos-doctors. Skilful walkers can cross the
gorge, it takes 5 hours to walk to the Springs of Voidomatis
River, in a magnificent landscape, characterised by the grey
rocks and the green vegetation. Monodendri Monodendri is one of the most well known traditional settlements
of Zagori. It is the home of Rizari Brothers benefactors, their
foundation is well known all over Greece lor its great social
work. The great manor houses and churches express the economic
prosperity of the citizens during Turkish occupation. Recently
restored manor of Pantazis hosts occasional exhibitions, while
in the outdoor theatre important theatrical and musical performances
take place. Right at the centre of the settlement St. Athanasios
church dates back to the beginning of 19th C. The icons of
the temple are dedications by the Rizari Brothers. In a small
distance from Monodendri is Oxia, well-known for the beautiful
view over Vikos gorge mostly for its stone-forest. There are
huge rocky creations with horizontal layers of stone one over the other that form a natural
monument of great geological interest.
Monodendri-St.Paraskevi Monastery It is built at the edge of Vikos gorge. Founded in the expense
of Michael Voevodas Therianos and the people nearby Vitsa.
The tradition mentions that Therianos built the church as an
act of thanksgiving for his daughter's saviour suffering from
an incurable illness. Wall paintings of temple are dated back
to 15th C.
Monodendri- Church of St. Minas The cross-domed church of St. Minas is near the square of the
village and it was built in the beginning of 17th C. The wall
paintings were concluded in two stages. In 1619/20 are dated
those of the main church and narthex is dated to 1734. Wood-engraved
and gilt-edged temple of the church is dated to 1782.
Vitsa (ancient settlement)Between Monodendri and Vitsa are located the ruins of a small
settlement of Molossi, dated in 9th C. up until the end of
4th C. B.C. Excavations brought into light ruins of stone houses
as well as two cemeteries with important findings. (today are
exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina).
Vitsa (contemporary settlement)one of the most important traditional settlement in Zagori. Well
maintained stone manor houses, built with grey stone, perfectly
fit in the environment, present special architectural interest.
Stone-paved streets, churches, house gates, create together with
the environment a scenery of outstanding beauty. The inhabitants
of Vitsa, already in existence since Byzantine times, <Vizitsini> according
to inscription undertook the building of the monastery of St.
Paraskevi in Monodendri in 1413/4.
Vitsa Church of St. Nikolaos
St. Nikolaos cross-domed church with later narthex is built at
the edge of the village. It is dated according to inscription
to 1612. The wall paintings Ware made in 1618-19, woodcraft
temple of the church is dated to 17th C, and icons are of 17th
and 18th C.
Ano Pedina- Church of St. Nikolaos
A church of grate size dated from the beginning of 19th C. Wall
paintings, woodcraft,temple, rostrum are all of the same era.
In the church a gospel with silver cover is kept, a work of
Tzimouris, a great silver maker from Kalarites.
Ano Pedina - Evagelistria Church
Important Nunnery at the entrance of the village. It is surrounded
by high yard walls and impresses with its fortress-like character.
The temple was build in 1793 and religious paintings made in
1809.
Koukouli -Church of Panagia It is built at the centre of the settlement and is a basilica
of great size with arched loggia (hagiati). The present shape
is the result of the second restoration dated to 1788. Wall
paintings of 1796 are a work of Lazaros while the north walls
were repainted in 1854 by painters from Chionades. Remarkable
samples of Epirotic woodcraft are the temple, the rostrum and
bishop's seat with nice decoration.
Noutsou Bridge or Kokorou. It was built in 1750 by Noutsos Kontodimos. A big single-arched
bridge over Vikas. It is also named Kokarou after the owner
of a nearby mill who took care of its repair.
Bridge of Plakidas or Kalogeriko
A great three-arched bridge, that impresses one with its symmetry.
It near the village Kipi and joins Viko's banks. It was built
in 1814 by Serafim, a monk in the monastery of Profitis Ilias
in Vitsa, under whom, it took its name. It was reconstructed
in 1865 by Alexis Plakidas Kaukouli.
Vradeto stairs.
It is cobble stone pathway down a steep rocky slope that leads
to the traditional village of Vradeto, a work of great craftsmanship
of Epirotic artisans. In older days it was the only access
to the village, that maintains its traditional character. Vradeto
is the most mountainous settlement of Zagori built 1340m above
Vikos Gorge. From Beloi spot one can enjoy a magnificent view
of Vikos Gorge.
Tsepelovo
A well-preserved settlement, at a height of 1.100m height. During
Turkish occupation it was the administrative centre of Zagori.
Its manors are famous for the folk wall paintings. Near the
square of the village the church of St. Nikolaos impresses
the visitor with well-maintained wall paintings works of painters
of Kapesovo in 1786. Tower like campanile is dated to 1868.
Tsepelovo-Monastery of St. Ioannis Rogovos It is built in Tsepelovo village. The contemporary temple is
dated to 1749. Wall paintings from 1765 are a work of Kapesovo
painters. Among the wall paintings are the presentations of
sponsors Kontodima and mank Nikodimos.
Giftokambos Well known for the meeting of Epirotes Sarakatsani which takes
place every year on the fiTSt weekend of August. It is near
the villages of Skamneli and Laista, at 1600m. In GiFtokambos
there is the Sarakatsaniki Stani an exhibitional ground from
May till October. It is a place with big huts representing the
life of Sarakatsani.
Kapesovo. A traditional settlement known for Kapesovo painters (Bogades)
who worked in dozens of churches in Epirus during 18th and
19th century. It is also the home of important men like Ioannins
Karamesinis his son Alexis Noutsos collaborators of Ali-Pasha
and brothers Paschali who built
Paschalios School. The great flourishing that Kapesovo experienced
during the Turkish domination, is evident in the great manors
with folk wall paintings. In the centre of the village Paschaleios
School (built in 1861 as the most important educational' foundations
in Zagori), where one of the four copies of Rigas Fereos chart
is kept.
Kapesovo -Church of St. Nikolaos
It was built in 1793, at the expense of Ioanoutsos Karamesinis,
an eminent man of Zagori and Ioannina. The church belongs to
the type three-aisled basilica. Wall paintings made at the
same time are work of painters from Kapesovo. Among the wall
paintings a distinctive one is that of the God blessing St.
Nikolaos.
Negades -St. Georgios A great church, in the centre of the village was built at 1792.
Wall paintings made at the same time also. Of interest are
the paintings of Aristotle and Platon but also of the church
's sponsors. The temple with wonderful woodcraft decoration,
the rostrum and bishops seat are works of creative imagination
of Epirotic {taliadoroi) wood-craftsmen.
Vrisohori -Church of St. Charalambos. Built at a height of 940m. Vrisohori is surrounded by forests
of conifers and crystal water rivers at the foothills of Gamila.
The Germans burnt the settlement in 1943. Very interesting
is the church of St. Charalambos In the square of the village,
dated back to 1814.
Museum of Agapios Tolis.
The folk museum of Agapios Tolis is located in Kipi-Zagori. The
collections include local costumes, furniture, domestic items,
photographic material and others from Zagori that have been
gathered by Agapios Tolis himself in an effort to save Hellenic
heritage in Zagori.
Museum K. Lazaridis.
In Koukouli it is worth visiting the museum of K. Lazarims where
2.500 dried species of herbs and plants from the area, many
of which are known for their healing nature are exhibited.
Pantazi's Manor House At Rizarios Centre of Meetings and Exhibitions in Monodendri
occasional photographic exhibitions are hosted. In Papingo
a centre for nature {W. W.F.) is open to the public.
Activities
Various river activities {canoe-kayaking, rafting and more. In
Aspraggelos shooting galley, Pan-Hellenic shooting games take
place. In the same small settlement there is a centre of hang-gliding.
Near Kato-Pemna there is a brewery of ostrich- birds a place
of attraction for visitors. The area has an organised mountain
refuge near Astraka (at 1950m). Signs along pathways attract
visitors to walk in an environment with small lakes, forests
of oak trees
Source:
Prefectural Committe of Tourist Promotion - GNTO
Prefecture
of Ioannina
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