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Discover the Zagorohoria
The Zagorohoria is one of the most well known areas in the region of Ioannina.
It is made up of 46 villages, scattered throughout the mountains and divided into 3 parts, the East,
West and Central Zagori.
Their name is of Slavic origin and means “behind the mountains”. Each village
has distinct natural beauty and it’s own particular architechture and history. They are villages of rare beauty,
traditional, picturesque and attracting many tourists.
Visitors to the area are always impressed by the
large and imposing churches, the picturesque stone bridges, the well known ravine of Vikos and the river Voidomatis
with it’s sparklingly clean waters, combined with the enchanting natural beauty and dense vegetation of the area
A brief history of the area.
The history of the area begins during the period of the Turkish occupation, from around 1430.
Fourteen of the villages offered their allegiance to the Sultan Mourat in return for the privilege of self determination.
The villages of West Zagori followed suit and in the 17th century the East and West Zagori were joined as an independent confederation
of 46 villages and were called Vilaeti of the Zagori or simply Zagori
The villages were very prosperous until 1868 and developed significantly both economically and culturally.
The villages suffered many trials during the Second World War, the occupation and the following Civil War.
The area was designated as a region of military operations and the villages of the East Zagori were burnt to the ground. As a result
of the destruction many residents abandoned their villages and went in search of a better life in the larger towns and cities.
