Zagori, Historical region in Epirus, Greece
Zagori is a historical region in the Pindus Mountains of northwestern Greece, comprising around 46 traditional villages scattered across mountainous terrain. The landscape consists of steep valleys and deep gorges where settlements cling to hillsides, connected by stone-paved paths and old bridges.
The region gained semi-autonomous status during Ottoman control, allowing local councils to manage local affairs while maintaining connections to the wider Ottoman system. This self-governance helped communities preserve their traditions and local decision-making practices.
The stone-built villages here feature distinctive architecture adapted to mountain life, with buildings that reflect how families and communities organized themselves around agriculture and trade. This construction style and the organization of settlements reveal how inhabitants lived within the landscape and shared resources.
Most visitors base themselves in nearby Ioannina and travel to the mountain villages by car or bus, as the region is spread across steep terrain. Traditional guesthouses operate throughout the area, and hiking between villages is feasible with proper preparation and footwear for mountain paths.
Within this region lies the Vikos Gorge, one of Europe's deepest canyons, carved into the mountainside with sheer cliffs rising hundreds of meters high. The geological formation is so extreme that it creates an otherworldly landscape that leaves most visitors speechless.
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