Zagorochoria is one of the most famous areas of the Prefecture of Ioannina, consisting of 46 villages, scattered in the mountains and divided into 3 geographical parts. The Western, the Eastern, and the Central Zagori.
The word Zagori has its roots in the Slavic language as many locations around Epirus as well. The word Zagori actually means "Beyond the Mountains". The Zagorochoria are famous for their incredible natural beauty, their unique architecture and for their long history.
Villages with unique beauty, traditional, picturesque with amazing landscapes are a pole of attraction for many tourists.
The large and impressive churches, the picturesque stone bridges, the well-known Vikos gorge, the Voidomatis river with its crystal clear waters combined with the magic of nature and dense vegetation impress every visitor.
The history of the region dates back to the Turkish domination, since 1430. Fourteen villages of Zagori offered their submission to Sultan Murat in exchange for the privilege of self-government.
The villages of Western Zagori followed, and in the 17th century Eastern and Western Zagori were united in an autonomous federation of 46 villages and were named Villaeti of Zagori or simply Zagori.
The villages were very prosperous until 1868 and they grew too much both economically and spiritually.
Particularly difficult were the trials that passed Zagorochoria during the Second World War, the occupation and the subsequent civil war.
The area became a battlefield and the villages of eastern Zagori were burned out by the Germans. As a result of the disasters, many residents left their villages and sought a better life in large urban centers.
It is located a few meters before the entrance of the village of Kipi, Zagori. It is a 3-arched stone bridge with a length of about 55 meters and a deck width of more than 3 meters, while on the side instead of a barrier it carries sparse arches.
It is one of the most famous stone bridges of Zagori, a wonderful sample of the high folk technique and aesthetics of the era. It was built in 1814 and cost a large amount of money granted by the Abbot of the Monastery of Prophet Elias in Vitsa, Serafim.
The gorge of Vikos is one of the most famous in Greece. It is located 30 kilometers northwest of Ioannina and is the deepest gorge in the world, according to the Guinness Book. It is the core of the Vikos-Aoos National Park, where a great variety of rare species of flora and fauna can be found.
The gorge is about 11 kilometers long and at many points the depth is more than 1,000 meters. The tributary of Aoos, Voidomatis, which runs through it, has water all the time.
The gorge was created after intense geological redevelopments during the geological seasons. The flora found in the area of the gorge is of a particularly large variety. Characteristically, until the beginning of the 20th century, the herbs of the gorge were used by practitioners for therapeutic purposes.
