What to visit in the Northern Pindos National Park

Aspraggeli Information Centre (Kipi, 1753) Tel - Fax: +30 26530 22241 11. Two-arched Petsioni Bridge, Tributary of e-mail: [email protected] Zagoritikos river (Fraggades, 1818) 12. Three -arched Kaloutas Bridge, Zagoritikos Papigko Information Centre River (Kaloutas) Tel: +30 26530 25096 13. Kaber Agas Bridge, Zagoritikos River (Miliotades) 14. Tsipiani Bridge, Vardas River (Greveniti – Tristeno, e-mail: [email protected] 1875) • Missios Bridge, Vikos (Koukouli – , 1748)

Vovoussa Information Centre • Agios Minas Bridge (Dilofo) Tel: +30 26560 22843 • Two-arched Milos Bridge, Bagiotiko stream (Kipi, e-mail: [email protected] 1748) • Bridges (Xatsiou, Anthias or Paleogefiro, Exhibit centers 1804) • Rizarios Handicraft Centre Monodendri, Zagori. • Kir-Aleksis Bridge, Skamneliotiko River (, Handcrafted traditional wefts and embroideries 1812) exhibition. Τel.: (+30) 26530 71119. • Kouitsas Bridge, Tributary of River (Vrisochori) • Rizarios Exhibition Centre (Τel.: (+30) 26530 • Stathis Bridge, Tributary of Zagoritikos River 71513), Monodendri, Zagori. (Dikorfo) Photography Exhibition. Visiting Hours: Daily 09:00 • Bridge, Aoos River (1748) a.m. – 16:00 p.m. Τel.: (+30) 26530 71119,website: www.rizarios.gr, e-mail: [email protected]. • CulturalCenter – Botanical Museum “K. Waterfalls - Springs Lazaridis”, Koukouli, Zagori, Τel.: (+30) 26530 71775 15. Iliochori Waterfalls, Iliochori Library, botanical and other exhibits are presented. 16. Papigo Springs, on the road from Mikro to 1. Sheep-fold of people, Skamneli, MegaloPapigo Zagori. Outdoor exhibition, concerning the Sarakatsani’s way of living. The different types of dwellings (konakia) are presented, the household Watermill – Water based (flokati) goods, the blankets, the tools used for daily Sarakatsani cleaning facility activities etc. Τel.: (+30) 6940569694 • Watermill– Water based cleaning facility of Tristeno • Water Power Museum, Vovousa, Municipality of • Kipi Watermill (Kipi) Zagori, Τel.: (+30) 26560 22843 • Water based cleaning facility of Vovousa

Monasteries – Churches Historical & Archeological sites 2. St. Paraskevi Monastery, Monodendri, Vikos • St. Minas Kastraki Gorge (1412) Acropolis of Hellenistic Period (3rd century BC) 3. Evaggelistria Monastery, (1793) Settlement and fortifications of Late-Byzantine -Post- 4. Kimissi Theotokou Monastery, Votsa, Vardas Byzantine period, 13th -19th century BC River (Greveniti, 7th century) • Grampala Hill (or Ruinikos), on the road from Aristi • Panagia Spiliotissa Monastery, Aristi, Voidomatis to Kato Pedina. Battlefield of 1940. River (1597) • Ancient Settlement of Vitsa – Monodendri • St. Vlasios Church, Μegalo Papigo (1852) Settlement, cemetery, basins, aqueduct from Archaic, • Taxiarxes Church, Kato Pedina (1591) Classical period (9th – 4th century BC) • St. John Rogovou Monastery, Tsepelovo, Vikaki • Skamneli Acropolis Ruins of entrenchment from Gorge (1028-1034) Classical – Hellenistic period (4th – 3rd century BC) • Agias Triadas Monastery, Vrisochori (1667) • Greveniti Acropolis Ruins of entrenchment from • Triune Church St. Triada - St. Dimitrios and St. Hellenistic period (3rd century BC) George, Negades (1779) • Makrino Acropolis (Kiatral Arie Hill)Ruins of • Kimissis Theotokou Church, Koukouli (1630) entrenchment from Hellenistic period (3rd century BC) • St. Dimitrios Church, Greveniti (1668)

Stone-paved footpaths Scenic Views 5. 17. “Oxia” location, Monodendri. View to 6. Vitsa 2. Monastery of Agia Paraskevi forecourt, 7. Koukouli (Koukouli - Kipi, Koukouli - Vitsa) Monodendri. 18. “Beloi” location, Vradeto. View to Vikos Gorge 19. Panoramic view location to Vikos Gorge, in Stone Bridges Vikos village 8. Noutsos or Kokori Bridge, Vikos Gorge (Koukouli, 20. “Bokovo” location, between Skamneli and 1750) Gyftokampos 9. Three-arched Plakida or Kalogeriko Bridge, Bagiotiko Flume (Kipi- Koukouli, 1814) 10. Kontodimos or Lazaridis Bridge, Vikaki Gorge

KONITSA

Exhibitcenters Stone Bridges

• Information Centre of Municipality of 22. Voidomatis Bridge, Kleidonias (1853) tel: (+30)2655023000, (+30)2655360349 23. Konitsa Bridge, AoosRiver (1850) • Konitsa History Photography exhibition. Old • Bousi Bridge, Aoos tributary, Ntopolitsa Muslim School, Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque. (Konitsa,1904) Konitsa, tel: (+30) 26550 24144 • Pournias Bridge, Sarantaporos tributary (1853) • Folklore Museum at Konitsa.Tel: (+30)2655023000, • Pigi Bridge (+30) 2655360349 • House of Hamko (AliPasa’s mother) tel: (+30) 2655023000, (+30)2 655360349 Historical & Archeological sites • Wine Museum of tel: (+30) 2655023000, (+30) 2655360349 • Klidi of Voidomatis, Prehistoric ruins (Paleolithic • Folklore Museum at Agia Paraskevi.Tel: (+30) period, 14,000 – 8,000 BC) 6976551251 • Castle of Konitsa. Ruins of entrenchment, • Library, Konitsa. Τel.: (+30) 26550 22298 Byzantine period • Esodia tis Theotokou (Presentation of Mary) • Konitsa Historical Centre. Traditional settlement Monastery –Ecclesiastical Museum (1672), at (50 mansions) • Zeinel Bei Mansion, Konitsa, Tel: (+30)26553 60326 • SuleimantheMagnificentMosque, Konitsa Monasteries – Churches • 4 Tourbedes (Tombs), (old Muslim monasteries’ mausoleums) Konitsa, Tel: (+30) 26553 60326 21. Panagia Stomiou Monastery, at Aoos canyon • St. Paisios’ House in Konitsa tel : (+30)2655023000 (Konitsa, 1774) • St. Anargiron Monastery, at Voidomatis gorge (Kleidonia, 1658) Scenic Views • St Apostles Monastery, at old Kledonia (Kleidonia, 1662) 24. Prophet Ilias (AnoKonitsa) • Osios Nikanoras Monastery (Nikanoras, 1816) 25. St.Barbara Chapel(Konitsa) • Esodia tis Theotokou (Presentation of Mary) 26. Ano Kleidonia settlement with view to the Monastery, at Monastiri(1672) “towers” of Papigo and the valley of Konitsa • St. Nikolaos Metropolitan Church (Konitsa, 1842) • Settlement of Palaioselli overlooking the Gamila peak • St. Paraskevi Church (Palaioselli, 1864) • St. George Church (Pigi) Water based (flokati) cleaning facility • Hellenistic temple and settlement, at the acropolis of Kastri, near • Water based cleaning facility of Agia Paraskevi Mavranaii Information Centre Kipourio to Krania 37. Matsagani Bridge, single-arched, tributary of Venetikos (Krania, 40. Panorama-picnic location, Prophet Elias chapel at 1,384 m, near Alatopetra village. • Armata Watermill • St. Paraskevi Monastery, (Samarina, 1713) 1850) Prosvoro village. • Water based cleaning facility of Tel: +30 24620 87563 • St. Nikolas Church, between Ziakas and Perivoli villages (1803) 38. Alatopetra (or Prosvoro) Bridge or the Blind Man’s Bridge, 41. «Kourouna» picnic location, on the road from Filippei to Samarina e-mail: [email protected] • Sts. Theodore Church, between Polineri and Alatopetra villages single-arched, Velonias River (between Alatopetra and Prosvoro village. • Transfiguration of Jesus Church (Metamorfosi tou Sotira), east villages, built before the 1900’s) 42. •«Karastergios Spring» picnic location, on the road from Ziakas of Avdela (1900) to Perivoli village. • St. George Church, in Perivoli’s central square (1760) 43. •Picnic location «Exarhos», on the road from Ziakas to Perivoli Trekking Shelters • St. Nikolas Church, (1750) village. Exhibit centers • Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Fillipei (1886) • Ski resort Vasilitsa Tel: (+30) 2462076530 METSOVO Watermill - Water-cleaning mills • Ski resort Politses, Metsovo Tel: (+30) 2656029111 • Mushroom – Folklore Museum at Lavda, Tel.: (+30) 6972033243 (for blankets, rugs, flokatietc) • Ski resort Anilio, Metsovo Tel: (+30) 6980760850 • Folklore exhibition, Samarina, Tel.: (+30) 6979030119 • Trekking Shelter “D. Georgoulis”, Astrakia – Papigo, • Folklore exhibition – Manakis Brothers Photography exhibition • Traditional watermill – traditional water cleaning mill for rugs and Waterfalls . Tel.: (+30) 6973 223100 Metsovo Information Centre • Katogi Traditional Winery, Metsovo, Tel.: (+30) (pioneering photographers and cinematographers in the , Stone Bridges blankets. Mikrolivado village, at 850m. • Trekking Shelter, Palioseli - Konitsa. Tel.: (+30) 6942 Tel: +30 26560 42720 26560 41010 1905-1918), open during the summer, Avdela village, Tel.: (+30) • Traditional cleaning mill for rugs and blankets, Samarina village. 44. Tsourgiakas gorge waterfall, 100m height, at Aetia village. 939939/ 6988 015656 e-mail: [email protected] • Folklore Museum, Milia village 6932033938 32. Aziz Aga Bridge (triple-arched), over Venetikos River. Has the • Traditional cleaning mill for rugs and blankets, at “Manakia” • Valia Kalda Trekking Shelter at Vovousa, Ioannina. Tel.: (+30) longest span of any arched bridge in . (Trikomo, 1727) location outside Avdelavillage. 26510 29445 & 22226, 26560 22200, 6977 314779 Exhibit centers Scenic Views 33. Kagelia Bridge, double-arched, Venetikos River (Trikomo, • Katsogiannis Watermill. Located 2km east of Spileao, by the • Metsovo Trekking Shelter, Mavrovouni, Metsovo. Tel.: (+30) • Tositsa Mansion in Metsovo, (Folklore Museum), 27. Panorama location at Flega peak, of the Ligos Monahiti, 19th c.) Venetikos River. 26560 41207 Tel.: (+30) 26560 41084 Mountain. View to Aoos springs artificial Lake, Valia 34. Portitsa Bridge, double-arched, Venetikos River, at Portitsa Historical & Archeological sites • DistratoTrekking Shelter - Chalet,Vasilitsa Ski Resort, Tel.: (+30) • E. Averof’s Institution Gallery, Metsovo, Tel.: Kalda Valley and to Flega lakes. Monasteries – Churches gorge (Spileao, 1793) -Katsogianni Bridge (or watermill bridge), triple- 24620 82820, Mob.: (+30) 6980 214027 (+30) 26560 41210, Fax: (+30) 26560 42617Visiting 28. Panorama location at Aftia peak, of the Ligos arched,Velonias River (Spileao, 1800) - Liatisas Bridge, single-arched, 45. Anitsa War Monument, commemorated to the battles of the • Gomara Trekking Shelter - Chalet “Vasilitsa 1850”, Vasilitsa Ski hours: 10a.m.-16p.m. daily (Tuesdays closed). www. Mountain. View to Aoos springs artificial Lake and to 29. Megali Panagia Church (Samarina) Velonias River (Spileao, 1800) Pindos 1940-41. Accessible from the old road from Fillipei to Samarina Resort, Grevena, Mob.: (+30) 6944 425074 averoffmuseum.gr [email protected]. Valia Kalda Valley. 30. Assumption of Mary (Koimisi tis Theotokou) Monastery (Spileao, 35. Ziakas Bridge, double-arched, Velonias River, tributary of Scenic Views village. • Vasilitsa Trekking Shelter - Chalet, Vasilitsa Ski Resort, Grevena, Paintings and sculptures made by Greek artists of the 1633) Venetikos, (Ziakas, 19th c.) • Acropolis and tombs found at the archeological site of Spilaio, Tel.: (+30) 24620 84100, Mob.: (+30) 693 270 2100 19th and 20th century. 31. St. Athanasios of Gorgiani Monastery, on the road from 36. Stabeki Bridge, tributary of Venetikos (Krania, 1850) 39. Panorama from mount Orliakas-picnic location, Spileao village. dating from Palaeolithic to Byzantine Eras.

for the year 2017 year the for

of Protected Areas Protected of

Managment Agencies Managment pindosnationalpark  

The Northern Pindos National Park Ski Resorts www.pindosnationalpark.gr Site:

The Pindos National Park hosts one of the most Park and the Pan-Hellenic Downhill Race. For [email protected] Email: Telephone: 26530 22245, 26530 22241, Fax: 26530 22241 26530 Fax: 22241, 26530 22245, 26530 Telephone:

beautiful ski resorts of . Located on Mount ski reports and announcements, contact the Ioannina 44007, code: Zip Zagori, Aspragelloi,

Vasilitsa (2,249m) 42km northwest of the city Vasilitsa Ski Resort Management Agency: Tel.: Parks National Pindos and Vikos-Aoos of Agency Management of Grevena, the ski centre was founded in 1975 Intl Access + 30 – 24620-76530 or visit their Park National Pindos Northern The mountainous woodlands of Northern Pindos that is, Valia Kalda, the Vikos Gorge and Aoos and established as the National Ski Centre of website at www.vasilitsa.com.

Greece in 1991. Winter sports enthusiasts praise Metsovo has built a modern ski resort

host an exceptional ecosystem, inviting visitors Canyon. These are the environmental hearts of reserved. rights All E.Papatheodorou.. Tzatzanis, I. of to appreciate pristine mountain and forest the park and require the most effective protection the quality and depth of its snow cover and its (ProfitisIlias Ski Resort) on Mount Politsies, archives photo the Agency, Management Park’s National the to belong publication this in used Photographs environments. Preservation of this rare ecology of the existing natural environment with minimal extended snow season: the resort is open for right next to Profitis Ilias Chapel, at 1,360m in skiing from the first of December to March, altitude. Appropriate for beginners, it hosts has required the creation of an innovative, human intervention. Scientific research, guided Ursus arctos Rupicapra rupicapra effective management policy. tours for visitors and eco-tourist programs have and sometimes well into April.Vasilitsa offers five downhill ski slopes, one cross-country ski been designed to allow access to these areas, alpine, slalom, downhill, freestyle, cross-country run, 2 surface lifts and a baby lift. Still in a The Northern Pindos National Park was created with the least environmental impact. and snowboarding opportunities and hosts development phase, this centre offers a chalet in 2005 with the unification of Valia Kalda and several winter sport competitions each year. It with restaurant and cafeteria, a ski school and Vikos-Aoos National Forests and incorporation 2. Four areas adjacent to the environmentally now hosts 18 runs, one of which is the longest an equipment & snowmobile rental store. of the intervening wilderness region. With an sensitive core areas have been delineated natural ski run in Greece, 7 lifts (including 2 chair For more information and announcements: Tel.: area of nearly two thousand square kilometers as Habitat and Species Conservation Zones lifts, 4 t-bars and a “baby-lift”) and a snowboard Intl Access + 30 – 265602911, 2656042772, (1.969.741.000sq.m.), it is the largest National (Zone II). The land uses in these areas are also terrain park at 1,850m. Mount Vasilitsa is ideal 2656041095, 265604263 or visit their website: Park on the Greek mainland. The Park includes restricted to preserve the natural environment. for off-season fitness activities as well, such as www.metsovo-ski.gr. Furthermore, near nearly all the Zagori district, parts of Konitsa and The sustainable management of these zones Nordic (ski) walking and trekking, while during Metsovo operates the ski centre of Anilio. Metsovo, and the western region of Grevena includes research activities and encouragement the summer the slopes host a Mountain Bike County. of traditional agriculture. 3. The Main Area of the Park constitutes the Management of the National Park The Park offers a unique combination of natural largest area of the National Park and includes wilderness regions and traditional villages. A large several village lands where environmental and The Management Agency of Vikos-Aoos The Agency personnel consists of 22 people number of endemic plant and animal species thrive traditional mountain lifestyles are protected. The AoosΑσπροπάρης Canyon, andPindos National Parks was founded in including scientific staff, tour guides and Falco peregrinus on mountain slopes of rare geologic significance. Park promotes the preservation of traditional Kagelia Bridge, Trikomo Monastery(Neophron of Stomio percnopterus) 2002, and since 2007 has overseen operation rangers. The “mission statement” of the Agency Eleven regions of the EUwide network of nature activities, with maintenance of the environmental of the Northern Pindos National Park. The is to preserve the natural environment of the protection areas “NATURA 2000” are included balance. Eco-tourism and education in this area is Park agency is within the Hellenic Ministry for Northern Pindos National Park while promoting at the National Park, eleven Wildlife Refuges, encouraged. the Environment, Physical Planning and Public sustainable and traditional development within a Biogenetic Reserve Region (Valia Kalda) and 4. Areas outlying the National Park borders, Works, dedicated to supervision of protected the Park’s area.The implementation for the two areas that are internationally recognized as but considered essential to the Park’s ecosystem wildlife areas and it is administered by an supervision and the guarding of the protected bird conservation sanctuaries. The mountain of are included in four Peripheral Zones (Zone eleven-member Administrative Board. area of Northern Pindos National Park is Orliakas, at the east of the Park region, is an “Area P). The Peripheral areas are buffers between Management is responsible for the coordinated in accordance to an approved plan of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” In 2010, the the highly protected areas of the Park and the implementation of protective restrictions that is adjusted on an annual basis. For optimal Vikos-Aoos region, hosting the world’s steepest surrounding region. Land use restrictions are within the land use zones of the Park area, coverage of the Park area, the Management gorge (Guinness World Record), was established placed on activities that have a negative effect data collection required for environmental Agency has four park ranger teams covering as an International Geopark by UNESCO, due on the maintenance of the Park area in a natural monitoring, proposals of scientific research the regions of Zagori, Metsovo, Konitsa and to its large geological and geomorphological state. The Peripheral areas overlap the range of initiatives, and of technical and infrastructure Grevena. The Agency also operates four value. An aspiring UNESCO Geopark, the Tethys protected species, such as the brown bear (Ursus projects. The Park Management Agency is Information Centres to aid visitors and scientists Geopark, is located in the Grevena region of the arctos) and other wildlife. Sustainable growth headquartered in Grevena, but its administration gain background and travel information. The Park. and development of recreational activities are ΓεφύριSchool Δόλιανης, educational Φωτ. program Κ. Νόλα services currently are accommodated at the Centres host educational programs for schools, promoted, with a goal or restoring these buffer in Metsovo Information C entre Patrolling in in Valia Kalda Vikos-Aoos Information Centre, located at give tourist information and promote eco- The Land Use within the National Park is an zone regions to a more natural, but economically Aspragelli, Zagori of Ioannina. tourist projects. innovative scheme that unifies the protection sustainable, state. of wilderness and conservation areas with traditional rural cultures dependent on herding, In general, traditional animal husbandry, School educational program lumbering and mountain-based agriculture. To agriculture, forestry usage, and the production preserve the ecosystem and traditional mountain and marketing of local resources and lifestyle, a land-use management system was commodities are protected. The development of developed that established a graded system of tourist facilities, “agri-business” scale farming, conservation zones. and hydroelectric projects are restricted. Country Four distinct management regions have been inns and guesthouses, trekking shelters, and delineated over the park area: small-scale agricultural units that promote 1. The Nature Reserve Areas (Zone I) include the environmental conservation and traditional core areas (National Forests) of the National Park, lifestyles are encouraged. Anacamptis pyramidalis Ramonda serbica

Λίμνη Μετσόβου

Capreolus capreolus Salamandra salamandra

Aoos Canyon Ecological Value Aoos springs lake

The fact that the park hosts many rare ecosystem and particularly the Egyptian vulture (Neophron types and many endemic species of fauna percnopterus), which is a universally endangered and flora adds a high ecological value to the species, the golden eagle (Aguila chrysaetus), the protected area. The biology of the region is robin (Falco pereginus), the fish hawk (Hieraetus determined by the particular topography (high pennatus), the osprey (Circaetus gallicus) and mountain ranges, ravines, slopes with different the golden hawk (Falco biarrnicus). There is also orientation), the geology and the presence of a remarkable woodpecker presence, such as the special rocks, the climatic conditions and the large black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and presence of humans throughout the years. the Balkan woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriaca). 30 reptile species are encountered the National Over 2000 plant species have been catalogued Park area, including 16 lizard, 10 snake and 4 throughout the area of the Park. Many flowering turtle species. Indicatively, we note the presence plants and herbs are endemic and considered of the Dalamatian Algyroides lizard (Algyroides Arkoudorema - Valia Kalda Trapezitsa-Konitsa endangered species. Among the fungi of the nigropunctatus), the Japanese striped snake area, over 2500 species of mushroom have been (Elaphequatuorlineata) and the Marginated documented. Tortoise (Testudo marginata).

Wild life in the park includes 60 species of Out of the 14 amphibian species that are hosted mammals, among these almost all of the in the area, of particular interest are the alpine endangered mammals of Greece. The most newts (Triturus alpestris)or the “dragons”, important are the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra located at high altitudes, such as the Dragon lakes balcanica) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos). The at Mounts Smolikas, Tymfi and Flega and the populations of these species are higher in the salamander (Salamandra salamandra). The Park’s park refuge than anywhere else in Greece.Other rivers and their tributaries make an excellent Mount Tymfi important species include the wolf (Canis lupus), habitat for 22 species of fish, among which: the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the wild cat the pindovino (Barbatula ), an endemic (Felissylvestris), the otter (Lutra lutra) and some species, only found in Aoos River; the Albanian of the more common ones, such as the boar Roach (Pachychilon pictum), another two (Susscrofa) that has a population increase in the endemic species of trout (SalmofarioidesκαιSal region. Some traces and observations indicate mopelagonicus), the european shub (Squaliussp) the lynx’s (Lynx lynx) periodical presence in the also found in Aoos River and some more common region. species, such as the trout (Salmo trutta), the fresh water mullet (Leuciscus cephalus), the Among the 186 species of birds that the area common nase (Chondrostomanasus) and the Dikorfo Vasilitsa Ski Resort Vikos Gorge hosts, the birds of prey are of great interest barbel (Barbuspeloponnesius).