Rizario Exhibition Center

Exotic Greece: Zagori traditional villages Monodendri & Vitsa, Epirus | Travel guide

Discover the beauties of Zagori at the northwestern part of Greece and the small traditional villages surrounded by virgin nature of Pindos mountain, the famous Vikos gorge, the rivers and the stunning old stone bridges of the Epirus!

This lovely pool with the amazing view was at the stone-built Archontiko Zarkada in Monodendri and we ate delicious local dishes at the main square of Monodendri village in a restaurant called I pita tis Kikitsas. At the end of the video, you may enjoy views of Aghia Paraskevi monastery overlooking Vikos Gorge.
Monodendri is one of the famous Zagori villages and belongs to the Municipality of Central Zagori. Built at an altitude of 1,060 meters, just 39 km. from the city of Ioannina offers unique views of the slopes of Tymfi and Astraka.

Its name probably comes from a big tree that it was in the village until 1840. Until 1753 it was a community with three neighborhoods (Vitsa, Ano Machalas, St. George), which later formed the modern village.

Monodendri is located in a prominent position as it has easy access to the gorge of Vikos and the stone towers of Oxia to the left of the village, composing a landscape of rare and fabulous beauty.
Monodendri experienced great economic and commercial peak in 18th and 19th century and were erected many churches, schools and mansions from their benefactors. The village is the birthplace of the national benefactors of Greece Manthos and Georgios Rizaris.

Rizari brothers were merchants with base in Russia, they gave a lot of money in the liberation struggle of the country and provided their property for the establishment and operation of Rizarios Church School. With money from the legacy of the brothers Rizari, today it operates the handicraft school where you can view or buy beautiful textiles and embroideries.

Monodendri has also Rizarios Exhibition Centre which hosts significant international art exhibitions such as Manos, Bresson, Boissonas and others. Today at the home of Rizari brothers, it is housed the elementary school with the busts of the benefactors contempating the ridges of Tymfi.

From the village of Monodendri comes the great teacher of the Nation Athanasios Psalidas (1767-1829).

Monodendri is one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori with unique views and attracts many visitors every year. It is one of the first and oldest villages of Zagori which were developed touristically and now have many tasteful guesthouses and hotels that provide a high level of service for a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Characteristic stone streets, stone houses and mansions will impress you with their famous local architecture and they will revive past times. The whole village is evenly built with gray stone. In the taverns and restaurants of Monodendri you can find local traditional food and of course the famous pies.

From Monodendri starts the path that leads you through the Vikos Gorge and Voidomatis springs, after an enjoyable trip. The village is the starting point for the Vikos gorge but also for many hiking and walking trails.

Monodendri deservedly claims a position of one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori and not unjustly, as it offers a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and breathtaking views!

Regional Flavours & Products

In Monodendri and in all villages of Zagori you will find rich and delicious dishes, traditional dishes such as the famous Zagori pies all made with fresh local ingredients. The traditional flavors of Zagori satisfy even the most demanding visitor.

Try the local meat cooked in a pot, lamb in a pot, pompari, Easter crumbs, fried pork, kontosouvli, ewe grilled, baked beans, briam. Of course it would be a great omission not to try some of the famous Zagori Pies like flour pie or zymaropita, spinach pie, milk pie, nettle pie, gkizopita, pumpkin pie, frumenty pie, chicken pie, cheese, mushroom and almond pie, baklava, pancakes and apple in the oven. You can accompany your meal with locally produced wine, fine raki or ouzo.

From Monodendri and other Zagori villages you can buy dairy products, chestnuts, apples, walnuts, honey, mushrooms, sweets, jams, pickles, local meats and folk art.

Cultural events
Monodendri made many cultural events during the summer months as theater and concerts. Monodendri made many cultural events during the summer months as theater and concerts.
– Feast of Agia Paraskevi on July 26th.
#mysticgreece #zagori #topgreekdestinations

ZAGORI Race: NORTH FACE mountain run | The magic of running and sports, Epirus Greece

Zagori Mountain Running
Zagori is one of the most distinguishing features in the land of Epirus in Greece. It comprises a special geographical, historical and architectural unity in place and time. The 46 villages with their unique natural beauty and the idiosyncratic mentality of the people preserve this identity in the present.

The Zagori Mountain Running, an integral part of this cultural harmony, offers to the athletes the opportunity to experience through their effort “the place beyond the mountain“.
A unique trail run following one of the most beautiful trail running routes in Greece.
Zagori is a mountainous area in the north of Epirus near Ioannina with unparalleled natural beauty. The name “Zagori” means “the place behind the mountain” and this is a network of forty-six villages with unique characteristics and history. The gorge of Vikos and the river Voidomatis now form the core of the National Park Vikos Aoos. Vikos Gorge is the deepest in the world!

The mountain races in Zagori began in 2011, as incredible as it sounds, due to a bet. The bet was, if within 29 days we could design and implement a race with at least 150 innings. The bet was won and more than 300 people crossed the finish line. In 2015, over 2000 people took part in the race weekend, making The North Face Zagori Mountain Running, the most populous mountain race in Greece.

10+2 places to see
Zagori itself is a treasure. However, there are some special points that should attract more your attention (some of them accessible also by car). Here is the Top Guide:

Vikos Gorge. The spectacular Vikos Gorge, topped by massive rounded cliff buttresses and craggy walls in light grey and orange-yellow, is classified by the Guinness Book of Record as the world’s deepest, plummeting some 3,000 feet, a gold based on both depth and width-to-depth ratio
Panagia Spiliotissa, perched on the cliffs between Aristi and Papigo, near the banks of river Voidomatis. Its main characteristic is the wooden altarpiece with an excellent woodcarving technique. Walking alongside the crystal waters is also very relaxing.
Agapios Tolis Folklore Museum, in the village Kipi. The museum presents 40,000 items from the everyday life in Zagori. This huge folkloric collection is housed in three mansions and it includes house utensils, folk art costumes, embroideries, prints, etc.
Opening hours: Mon-Friday: 08.30-14.00.
Drakolimni (Dragon Lake) in Gamila, one of the three alpine lakes of our country. Hiking from the village Mikro Papigo takes about 5 hours.
The Monastery of Agia Paraskevi (1412) in Monodendri, literally built on the edge of Vikos Gorge.
The Rizarios Exhibition Center in Monodendri. It is housed in the Pantazis Mansion and hosts art exhibitions and events.
The Rizarios Handicraft School in Monodendri. It was established in 1979, a part of the Rizarios Foundation of the two great National Benefactors, Manthos and Giorgos Rizari. The school aims to preserve traditional handcraft arts. Handmade items are displayed in the exhibition hall at the School.

# Τρέχοντας στις ΚΟΤΡΩΝΕΣ του ποταμού στο φαράγγι του Βίκου, όπου ευτυχώς το καλοκαίρι έχει στερέψει! Διδακτικότατη εμπειρία για τους αστραγάλους των δρομέων...!

# Ανάβαση προς Μονοδένδρι Ιωαννίνων, κατά την διάρκεια του Zagori Run στον αγώνα των 21χμ.

Το τραγούδι Act Three του καλλιτέχνη Audionautix έχει άδεια με βάση το εξής: Creative Commons Attribution (
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#running #runningrace #ZAGORI