THE ZAGOROHORIA VILLAGES
& THE VIKOS-AOOS NATIONAL PARK
 North out of
loanina, a road leads to the
Vikos Gorge where the 46 picturesque villages, known as the Zagorohoria, are set in a
breathtakingly beautiful surroundings. The architecture of their buildings is very
interesting. The area is a combination of the dark pinetree, fir trees, interspersed with
green meadows full of flowers, plenty of streams, picturesque stone bridges, old mansions,
attractive churches and lush vegetation. The houses give the appearance of forming partand
parcel of their surroundings and are usually two - storeyed buildings with thick slate
roofs.
 Churches in the district, renowned for their
wood - carvings, have, for the most part, three aisles with a small dome or none at all.
Although the mansions, churches and bridges are the outcome of 18th century cultural and
economic prosperity, remains of Cyclopean walls and ruins of other ages indicate that the
area had been inhabited since ancient times. The Vikos-Aoos National Park, whose purpose
is to preserve the rare flora and fauna of Ipiros and the majestic natural beauties of the
area, includes the Vikos Gorge, the canyon formed by the River Aoos and an intermediate
area where the small villages of Mikro and Megalo Papingo are located. It is the most
beautiful of all Greek National Parks and those who explore it take unforgettable memories
away with them.
Anatoliko (East) Zagori
This is an area N.E. of loanina, well wooded and with ample running streams and
picturesque hamlets, smothered in foliage. On the way, the road leads to the old stone
bridges of Tsipiani and Kamperaga and to the villages of Tristeno (42 kms from
loanina)
Greveniti (44 kms) and Flambourari (55 kms).
Kentriko (Central) Zagori
This area lies north of loanina and has many traditional features to a point where most of
its villages have been declared traditional settlements which must be preserved. At the
village of Vitsa (36 kms) there are noteworthy churches such as those of Agios Nikolaos
(1610) and Taxiarchis (1700) while at Monodendri (38 kms) there is the church of Agios
Panteleimon (1630) with fine frescoes, Agios Thanassis (1830) which is typical of church
architecture in the Zagoria district during the years of Ottoman rule, the Monastery of
Agia Paraskevi (1412) built on the brink of the Vikos Gorge and numerous fine stone
mansions. Above Monodendri there is a location known as Oxia from where the Vikos Gorge
can be seen in all its splendour. Tucked in between Vitsa and Monodendri is the Monastery
of Profitis Elias (1683) with attractive frescoes. Other villages in the Central Zagori
area are those of Asprangeli (30 kms), Dilofo (35 kms) Kipi (39 kms) and Koukouli (38
kms)
all Bly traditional in character with attractive houses and elaborately carved wooden
altar screens and frescoes in their churches.
Beyond Koukouli is Kapessovo (40
kms) with two fine
churches, Agios Nikolaos (1793) and Panagia (1763) with murals painted by local artists.
Still further North lies the village of Tsepelovo (51 kms) where the graceful Rongovou
Monastery is located. Built originally in 1050 AD it took its present form in 1749. Beyond
Tsepelovo is Skamneli (55 kms) with its Monasteries of Agia Paraskevi (1697) and Agios
Nikolaos (1683) as well as the chrurches of Agii Apostoli (1797) and Kimissis Theotokou
(16th centrury). Next come the villages of Laista, Eliohori and Vrissohori surrounded by
lush vegetation and overlooked by snow - clad mountain peaks. Central Zagori also takes in
the village of Negades with its unique church in which, amid the murals depicting Saints,
Plutarch and Aristotle have been given a place. The Central Zagori area is also known for
its old bridges such as those of Kokoris, near Koukouli, the Kipon bridge and those of
Plakidas, Misios and Arkouda.
 Ditiko (West) Zagori
This includes a cluster of villages to the N.W. of loanina. The most interesting among
them are Mikro and Megalo Papingo (61 kms from loanina). They are typical traditional
settlements set among surroundings of unsurpassed beauty, at the mouth of the Vikos Gorge,
along the banks of the Voidomatis River, and having as a back - ground the sharp mountain
peaks of the area which, with the summit of Mt. Gamila, dominate the scenery.
Below the village of Aristi (47
kms) stands the
noteworthy Monastery of Spiliotissa while across the Voidomatis there is yet another
excellent single - span bridge.
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