{"id":104794,"date":"2021-05-12T14:32:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T11:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/zagori\/"},"modified":"2021-05-13T15:52:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T12:52:52","slug":"zagori","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/zagori\/","title":{"rendered":"Zagori"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Zagori<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Meet Zagori, “the place beyond the mountain”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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(Photo: Konstantinos Vasilakis<\/a>)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The place beyond the mountain<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zagori<\/strong>\u00a0is a gifted mountainous area with outstanding natural beauty, in the north part of Epirus, near Ioannina, Greece. The history of the area formed a special historic and cultural environment, where, despite the multiplicity of small units (46 villages), Zagori stands out as an integral unity continuing its journey through time.<\/p>\n

The name \u201cZagori\u201d is of Slavic origin. The preposition \u201cza\u201d means \u201cbeyond\u201d and the word \u201cgora\u201d means \u201cmountain\u201d, therefore \u201cthe place beyond the mountain.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The\u00a0Vikos Gorge<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0river Voidomatis<\/strong>\u00a0now form the core of\u00a0the National Park Vikos Aoos<\/strong>. The area of Vikos-Aoos because of its significant geological and geomorphological value, it is recognized as \u201cVikos-Aoos Geopark\u201d and joined the UNESCO European Geoparks Network in October 2010.<\/p>\n

Today, the Geopark features in rank 4 in Greece, including the Vikos Gorge and Voidomatis river, the Aoos ravine, the mountains Tymfi, Trapezitsa and Smolikas. The region also belongs to the protected ecosystem zone Natura 2000. The Park is characterized as one of the most impressive in Greece and often called the Forest of grand peaks. It is extended from the ravine of Aoos in the north to the Vikos gorge in the south, which is listed as the deepest-steepest in world. The tall and imposing peaks of Tymfi Mountain, sometimes sunny and sometimes snowy, capture the visitor. The\u00a0Gamila<\/strong>\u00a0peak (2.497m) is the highest with the rest to follow:\u00a0Astraka (<\/strong>2.436m),\u00a0Lapatos<\/strong>\u00a0(2\/251m),\u00a0Ploskos\u00a0<\/strong>(2.377m),\u00a0Karteros<\/strong>\u00a0(2.478m),\u00a0Megala Litharia<\/strong>\u00a0(2.467m),\u00a0Tsouka Rossa<\/strong>\u00a0(2.377m).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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(Photo: Konstantinos Vasilakis<\/a>)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Several potholes (vertical deep caves) are found in Tymfi, among of which the largest of the Forest and second in the world, is called\u00a0\u201cProvatina\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0(the word in Greek means \u201cewe\u201d) at a depth of 407m. Apart from these high peaks, Tymfi Mountain features some other natural geological formations. Due to the high altitude, there are not many springs on the plateaus. However, in the parts where the phenomenon of flysch appears, ponds are formed called\u00a0\u201cdragon lakes\u201d.<\/strong>\u00a0The biggest lake is the\u00a0Dragon lake of Tymfi<\/strong>, situated at 2.050m of altitude associated with various legends and stories of the region. It\u2019s also worth mentioning the beautiful waterfalls of Iliochori, a village that we come across.<\/p>\n

Moreover, it is not only the natural beauty of the Alpine landscape that catches the eye. It is also the biodiversity of the region, presenting a variety of different ecosystems that comprise an ideal environment to maintain rare\u00a0species of flora and fauna<\/strong>. So far, it is widely known that\u00a010 species of amphibians<\/strong>,\u00a021 species of reptiles<\/strong>,\u00a0133 species of birds<\/strong>,\u00a024 species of mammals<\/strong>\u00a0and quite few\u00a0species of fish<\/strong>\u00a0are under legal protection.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Zagori's Villages<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The presence of man is combined in harmony with the marvelous landscape. The 46 villages perched on steep slopes, architectural masterpieces, with impressive mansions, the cobbled streets, the arched bridges and their rich tradition, leave no visitor unmoved! In addition, hospitality, local cuisine and tourist facilities will become among the memories you treasure.<\/p>\n

Four of these villages are included in the Park representing this special architecture technique. These are\u00a0Megalo Papigo, Mikro Papigo, Monodendri\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Vikos.<\/strong>\u00a0Around the Park we find six more villages:\u00a0Aristi, St. Minas, Vitsa, Kapesovo, Vradeto<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Vrisochori.<\/strong>\u00a0The inhabitants of Zagori and the skilled craftsmen managed to connect the rivers of the region with a unique way, building a network of single, double or triple arched bridges.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The bridges<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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(Kokkoros Bridge)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Within the National Park seven stone-built bridges are found. The one in\u00a0Konitsa<\/strong>\u00a0is the grandest. The story behind each bridge is closely linked to a person or a family (http:\/\/petrinagefiria.com<\/a>). So, just to mention a few, the\u00a0double-arched \u201cMisios Bridge\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>in Vikos Gorge was built in 1748, and it connects the villages Koukouli and Vitsa. Nearby, we find the \u201cNoutsos Bridge\u201d<\/strong>, built in 1750, known as the\u00a0\u201cKokkoros Bridge\u201d<\/strong>. The\u00a0\u201cPlakidas Bridge\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0\u201cKalogeriko\u201d<\/strong>(the word in Greek means Monks) is a triple-arched bridge near the villages Kipi and Koukouli. This used to be wooden and funded by a monk named Serafim. In 1814, it was re-built in stone. In 1865 the bridge was repaired by Alexis Plakidas and it is the most famous bridge in Zagori.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Monasteries<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the area there are also many monasteries. In the inner part of the Aoos gorge we find the\u00a0Monastery of Stomio<\/strong>. The monastery was initially built in the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0century on the slopes of Trapezitsa, but in 1774 it was relocated in the foothills of Gamila. The\u00a0Monastery of Agia Paraskevi<\/strong>\u00a0is located about 800m from the central square of the village Monodendri. It is built literally on the edge of the Vikos Gorge! The\u00a0Prophet Elias Monastery<\/strong>\u00a0in Vitsa was built in the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0century on a holt above the village Vitsa. There is also the\u00a0Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa<\/strong>, found on a hill near the Voidomatis river, close to the village Aristi, built in 1665. The\u00a0Monastery of St. Ioannis Rogovos<\/strong>\u00a0is located about two kilometers out of the village Tsepelovo and it is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It was built during the Byzantine era in the 11th<\/sup>\u00a0century. After its total destruction it was re-built in the 18th<\/sup>\u00a0century. Finally, the Monastery of St. Anargyroi, dated back to 1658, stands in the Voidomatis river gorge with lush vegetation, vertical cliffs, caves, trees, running waters, a paradise on earth.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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(Moni Stomiou)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Discover Ioannina and places near by<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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(Syvota)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Using the picturesque villages of Zagori as your base, you have many options for day trips. The city of Ioannina, at the crossroads of civilizations, where the Islamic , the Orthodox and the Jewish cultures meet, is a wonderful choice. Incredible museums, a unique primeval cave, the synagogue, the little island-without a name- in the lake Pamvotis with its own population, the walk around the castle, are some features of the city\u2019s identity. (http:\/\/www.travelioannina.com)<\/p>\n

Also, apart from Ioannina, there are some other places well worth a visit. These are:<\/p>\n

The traditional village of Metsovo, home of some great men and benefactors of the country.
\nThe stone villages of Tzoumerka, Syrrako and Kalarrytes, popular and historic villages.
\nThe \u201cMastorochoria\u201d of Pindos Mountain. The name derives from the Greek word \u201cmastoras\u201d meaning \u201cgifted craftsman\u201d. The villages are named after their craftsmen who created masterpieces of stone.
\nDuring the summer, the coastline of the Ionian Sea, offers a complete change of scenery. The spectacular pebbly and sandy beaches, the crystal clear waters, the sun and the surroundings will not let you down. The cosmopolitan Parga, which looks and feels as if you are on an Aegean island, is a gem, located in the regional unit of Preveza, in the northwestern part of Epirus. The other famous destination, Syvota, is located very close to the Igoumenitsa port, where beautiful bays like fjords, small islands, turquoise waters present the ultimate escape.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meet Zagori, “the place beyond the mountain” (Photo: Konstantinos Vasilakis) The place beyond the mountain Zagori\u00a0is a gifted mountainous area with outstanding natural beauty, in the north part of Epirus, near Ioannina, Greece. The history of the area formed a special historic and cultural environment, where, despite the multiplicity of small units (46 villages), Zagori […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"race-taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-104794","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104794\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"race-taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zagorirace.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/race-taxonomy?post=104794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}