The Zagorochoria (villages of Zagoria) 46 traditional settlements bounded by Mts. Mitsikeli, Gamila and the Aoos River form a fascinating geographical, architectural and cultural unit. They are distributed among the eastern, central and western Zagori districts. The region is one of the country?s richest in animal and plant life, not only as regards numbers of species, but also rate species (bear, deer, wild goat, jackal and the like).

Apart from the natural beauty of the region, some of most wonderful villages of Greece are scattered here. The Zagoria are remnants of a flourishing culture of the past. The area was at its zenith in the 17th century, having gained some sort of advanced autonomy from the Ottoman rulers. Many Zagorians emigrated overseas, mostly to Russia and Romania, as far away as Vienna, Bucharest and Odessa where they prospered greatly. Others traded in the Balkans, and accumulated large fortunes. Thus, with their contributions, they helped their homeland and the war of Greek Independence.

The history of Zagorians

The history of Zagorians is shrouded in the distant past. Ancient tribes known collectively as Pelasgians inhabited the area between 2500BC and 2000BC. Old Pelasgic walls have been found in Vitsa, Asprangeli and Skamneli. Little is known about their descendants, the pastoral tribes who lived here from 2000BC to 800BC. Corinthian colonists settled in along the coast of Epirus between 800BC and 600BC but it was not until the 5th century BC that King Tharypas united the Epirote tribes and encouraged the culture of the southern Greeks.

A small number of Vlach and Sarakatsani shepherds still practice the ?dhiava,? an ancient tradition of moving their sheep to higher grazing grounds in the summer. The semi-nomadic Vlachs live in villages close to their mountain pastures including some of the villages of Eastern Zagoria. They are of uncertain origin but their language is similar to Romanian and Italian. The Sarakatsani were a nomadic people with no established homes.

Today, they live in scattered communities although some Sarakatsani have remained shepherds and still maintain the old customs. Unlike the Vlachs who mingled freely with the Slavs and Bulgars, the Sarakatsani are thought to be among the purest Greeks and descendants of the original pastoral tribes of Homeric Greece. Their annual festival is held at Giftokambos in Central Zagoria on the first weekend in August.

Sites

Many rivers flow through the Pindus Mountains and in spring, the melting snow made them dangerous to ford. Bridges were essential for keeping trade routes open and Zagoria is uniquely blessed with these graceful, stone structures. There are many lovely, stone bridges but the Kalogeriko Bridge near Kipi is especially beautiful with three arches. These old bridges are very narrow and only a low ridge marks their edges. A small bell hung under them to warn travelers of strong winds that could easily toss a man into the angry torrents.

The Zagorohoria is best known for its traditional villages with their stone buildings, slate roofs and cobbled paths, all constructed with local stone by hand.

One of the most beautiful sites on Valia Calda is the Drakolimnes-Dragon Lakes, which are small lakes on the mountains above the valley, remnants of the ice age. According to the folk tradition, they were homes of fierce dragons, large monsters in animal or human form, which fought each another by throwing large rocks or tree trunks from lake to lake and from mountain to mountain.

Not far from Valia Calda, there is yet another larger lake, artificially created at the springs of Aoos River not far from the village of Metsovo. Voidomatis, a large tributary of Aoos, is a river of great beauty. It runs through the spectacular Vikos Gorge.

The Voidomatis River rushes past the foot of the Vikos Gorge cliff face. Attached atop the rock perches the little monastery of Aristi Spiliotissa, the Exalted Virgin of the Cave. Here cherry trees blossom in spring. In summer their fruit tempts the European brown bear to descend from higher ground. The fox and wolf are also infrequent visitors. The lynx is another of Europe?s endangered species, living today only in Spain, and perhaps in this gorge.

The Agrioxeiros, wild boar, is sighted more often and the Egyptian vulture soars in the clear air above the deep chasm. Monasteries here such as Aghia Paraskevi, Aghios Constantine and Aghios Athanasios, are being lovingly renovated in authentic Zagorian style.

In Eastern Zagori the most beautiful villages are Tristeno, Grevenitsa, founded by the Byzantine emperor Constantine Pogonianos in 670, and Flambouri. In Central Zagori, the following villages stand out: Vitsa with its characteristic churches; Monodendri, the starting point for hikers wishing to walk the Vikos Gorge as far as the Voidomatis springs; Tsepelovo, the biggest village in the district and the site of the Rangavi Monastery (founded in 1050); and Skamneli, many of whose houses are decorated with folk paintings of the 18th and 19th century; but the most beautiful village in the area is Village of Kipi (Gardens village). Manasi, Kalouta, Asprangeli, Monodendri, Dipotamo are also some of the most beautiful in the country.

In Western Zagori, Mikro and Megalo Papingo are famous for their authentic stone architecture.
Traveling through the 40-odd villages lying between Ioannina, Konitsa and the Albanian border, one traveler can see some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe.

The Zagorohoria villages were largely responsible for maintaining the Greek heritage during centuries of foreign occupation. The prosperity of Zagoria under the Turks allowed the culture to flourish. Zagorohoria are coming alive again after centuries of decline as the sons and daughters of Zagorians come to realize they have a unique cultural heritage worthy of preservation.