What to visit in the Northern Pindos National Park

• & Zagori Information Centre Bagiotiko Flume (Kipi- Koukouli, 1814) at Aspraggeli 10 Kontodimos or Lazaridi Bridge Tel. – Fax: (+30) 26530 22241, e-mail: Vikaki Gorge (Kipi, 1753) [email protected]/ [email protected] • Two-arched Bridge, Bagiotiko stream • Vikos Gorge & Zagori Information Centre (Kipi, 1748) 47 at Papigo 11 Three-arched Petsioni Bridge, Tributary of 30 Tel. – Fax: (+30) 26530 25096, e-mail: kppapigo@ Zagoritikos river (Fraggades, 1818) gmail.com 12 Three -arched Kaloutas Bridge, Zagoritikos 56 River (Kaloutas) 29 52 Exhibit centers • Bridges 55 • Rizarios Handicraft Centre, Monodendri, (Xatsiou, Anthias or Paleogefiro, 1804) 51 Zagori, Τel.: (+30) 26530 71119. • Kir-Aleksis Bridge, Skamneliotiko River 60 Handcrafted traditional wefts and embroideries (, 1812) 38 exhibition • Kouitsas Bridge, Tributary of River 25 • Rizarios Exhibition Centre - Photography Exhibition, (Vrisochori) 58 • Stathis Bridge, Tributary of Zagoritikos River 24 33 45 Monodendri, Zagori, Τel.: (+30) 26530 71513 37 Visiting Hours: Daily 09:00 a.m. – 16:00 p.m. (Dikorfo) 21 Τel.: (+30) 26530 71119 www.rizarios.gr, 13 Kaber Agas Bridge, Zagoritikos River 64 [email protected] (Miliotades) 42 63 • Cultural Center – Botanical Museum 14 Tsipiani Bridge, Vardas River (Greveniti – 65 “K. Lazaridis”, Koukouli, Zagori Tristeno, 1875) Τel.: (+30) 26530 71775, Library, botanical • Bridge, Aoos River (1748) 23 and other exhibits are presented. 1 Sheep-fold of people, Waterfalls - Springs 53 41 Skamneli, Zagori. Outdoor exhibition, concerning 15 Iliochori Waterfalls, Iliochori 48 49 the Sarakatsani’s way of living. The different 16 Papigo Spings, on the road from Mikro to 35 31 types of dwellings (konakia) are presented, the MegaloPapigo 59 50 household goods, the blankets, the tools used for 54 daily Sarakatsani activities etc. Τel.: (+30) 694 7102385 Watermill – Water based (flokati) 32 39 57 •Water Power Museum, Vovousa, Municipality cleaning facility 26 22 15 of Zagori Τel.: (+30) 26560 22843 • Watermill– Water based cleaning facility of 16 Tristeno 36 40 Monasteries – Churches • Kipi Watermill (Kipi) • St. John Rogovou Monastery (1028-1034) • Water based cleaning facility of Vovousa Tsepelovo, Vikaki Gorge 19 2 St. Paraskevi Monastery (1412) Historical & Archeological sites Monodendri, Vikos Gorge •St. Minas Kastraki: Acropolis of Hellenistic 46 3 Kimissi Theotokou Monastery (7th century) Period, 3rd century BC. Settlement and Votsa, Vardas River, Greveniti fortifications of Late-Byzantine -Post-Byzantine 1 • Panagia Spiliotissa Monastery period, 13th -19th century BC. 61 34 (1597) Aristi, River • Grampala Hill (or Ruinikos), on the road from 17 18 4 Evaggelistria Monastery (1793) Aristi to Kato Pedina. Battlefieldof 1940. • Agias Triadas Monastery (1667) Vrisochori • Ancient Settlement of Monodendri Settlement, cemetery, basins, aqueduct from • Triune Church St. Triada - St. Dimitrios and St. 6 20 43 George (1779) Negades Archaic, Classical period (9th – 4th century BC) • Kimissis Theotokou Church (1630) • Skamneli Acropolis: Ruins of entrenchment from Koukouli Classical – (4th – 3rd century BC) 4 2 44 • St. Dimitrios Church (1668) Greveniti • Greveniti Acropolis: Ruins of entrenchment • St. Vlasios Church (1852) Μegalo Papigo from Hellenistic period (3rd century BC) 5 10 7 • Taxiarxes Church (1591) Kato Pedina • Makrino Acropolis (KiatralArie Hill): Ruins of 28 entrenchment from Hellenistic period (3rd century Stone-paved footpaths BC) 8 9 27 5 Vitsa 6 Panoramas 62 7 Koukouli (Koukouli - Kipi, Koukouli - Vitsa) 17 “Oxia” location, Monodendri. View to Vikos Gorge 2 Monastery of Agia Paraskevi forecourt, Stone Bridges Monodendri 11 • Agios Minas Bridge (Dilofo) 18 “Beloi” location, Vradeto 8 Noutsos or Kokori Bridge, Vikos Gorge 19 Panoramic view location in Vikos village (Koukouli, 1750) 20 “Bokovo” location, between Skamneli and • Missios Bridge, Vikos (Koukouli – Vitsa, 1748) Gyftokampos 3 9 Three-arched Plakida or Kalogeriko Bridge, 12 14

Exhibit centers 23 Konitsa Bridge, Aoos River (1850) • Konitsa History Photography exhibition. • Bousi Bridge, Aoos tributary, Topolitsa Old Muslim School, Suleiman the Magnificent (Konitsa,1904) Mosque, Konitsa Tel: (+30) 26550 24144 • Pournias Bridge, tributary (1853) • Folklore Museum at Agia Paraskevi, Konitsa • Pigi Bridge Tel: (+30) 6976551251 • Library, Konitsa, Τel.: (+30) 26550 22298 Historical & Archeological sites • Monastery - Ecclesiastical Museum, Esodia • Klidi of Voidomatis: Prehistoric ruins (Paleolithic 13 tis Theotokou (Presentation of Mary)(1672), at period, 14,000 – 8,000 BC) • Castle of Konitsa: Ruins of entrenchment, Byzantine period Monasteries -Churches • Konitsa Historical Centre: Traditional • St. Anargiron Monastery, (1658) at Voidomatis settlement (50 mansions) gorge, Kleidonia • Zeinel Bei Mansion, Konitsa Tel: (+30)26553 60326 • St Apostles Monastery (1662) at old Kledonia, • Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, Konitsa Kleidonia • 4 Tourbedes (Tombs), (old Muslim monasteries’ 21 Panagia Stomiou Monastery (1774) at Aoos mausoleums) Konitsa. Tel: (+30) 26553 60326 canyon, Konitsa • Osios Nikanoras Monastery (1816), Nikanoras Panoramas • Esodia tis Theotokou (Presentation of Mary) 24 Prophet Ilias (Ano Konitsa) Monastery (1672) at Monastiri 25 St. Barbara Chapel (Konitsa) • St. Nikolaos Metropolitan Church (1842) Konitsa 26 Ano Kleidonia settlement with view to the • St. Paraskevi Church (1864) at Palaioseli “towers” of Papigo and the valley of Konitsa • St. GeorgeChurch at Pigi Monastery (Spileao , 1633) Bridge (or watermill bridge), triple-arched,Velonias Panoramas site of Spilaio, dating from Palaeolithic to Byzantine Resort, , Tel.: (+30) 24620 84100, Mob.: (+30) Water based (flokati) cleaning facility GREVENA 32 St. Nikolas Church, between Ziakas and River (Spileao , 1800) - Liatisas Bridge, single-arched, 50 Panorama from mount Orliakas-picnic location, Eras. 693 270 2100 Stone Bridges • Water based cleaning facility of AgiaParaskevi Perivolivillages (1803) Velonias River (Spileao , 1800) Spileao village. 58 Hellenistic temple and settlement, , at the 22 Voidomatis Bridge, Kleidonias (1853) Valia Kalda Information Centre, at Mavranei 33 Sts. Theodore Church, between Polineri and 42 Ziakas Bridge, double-arched, Velonias River, 51 Panorama-picnic location, Prophet Elias chapel acropolis of Kastri, near Alatopetra village Tel.: (+30)24620 87563, Fax: 24620 87564, Alatopetra villages tributary of Venetikos, (Ziakas, 19th c.) at 1,384 m, near Prosvoro village. e-mail: [email protected] 34 St. Athanasios of Gorgiani Monastery, on the 43 Stabeki Bridge, tributary of Venetikos (Krania, 1850) 52 «Kourouna» picnic location, on the road from Trekking Shelters road from Kipourio to Krania 44 Matsagani Bridge, single-arched, tributary of Filippei to village. • Ski resort Vasilitsa Tel : (+30) 2462076530 Exhibit centers 35 Transfiguration of Jesus Church (1900) Venetikos (Krania, 1850) 53 «Karastergios Spring» picnic location, on the road • Ski resort Politses, Metsovo Tel : (+30) 2656029111 • Mushroom – Folklore Museum at Lavda, Tel.: (Metamorfosi tou Sotira), east of Avdela (1900) 45 Alatopetra (or Prosvoro) Bridge or the Blind from Ziakas to Perivoli village. 59 Trekking Shelter “D. Georgoulis”, (+30) 6972033243 Pindos Information Centre at Metsovo 36 St. George Church, in Perivoli’s central square (1760) Man’s Bridge, single-arched, Velonias River (between 54 Picnic location «Exarhos», on the road from Astrakia – Papigo, . Tel.: (+30) 6973 223100 • Folklore exhibition Samarina, Tel.: (+30) 6979030119 Tel. – Fax: (+30)26560 42720 • Katogi Traditional Winery, Metsovo, Tel.: (+30) 37 St. Nikolas Church, (1750) Alatopetra and Prosvoro villages, built before the Ziakas to Perivoli village. 60 Trekking Shelter, Palioseli - Konitsa. • Folklore exhibition Manakis Brothers e-mail :[email protected] 26560 41010 38 Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Fillipei(1886) 1900’s) Tel.: (+30) 6942 939939/ 6988 015656 Photography exhibition (pioneering photographers • Folklore Museum, Milia village Waterfalls 61 Valia Kalda Trekking Shelter, at Vovousa, and cinematographers in the , 1905-1918), Exhibit centers Watermill - Water-cleaning mills 55 Tsourgiakas gorge waterfall, 100m height, at Ioannina. Tel.: (+30) 26510 29445 & 22226, 26560 open during the summer, Avdela village Tel.: (+30) Stone Bridges • Tositsa Mansion in Metsovo (Folklore Museum), Panoramas 46 Traditional watermill – traditional water cleaning Aetia village. 22200, 6977 314779 6932033938 39 Aziz Aga Bridge, (triple-arched), over Venetikos Tel.: (+30) 26560 41084 27 Panorama location at Flega peak, of the Ligos mill for rugs and blankets. Mikrolivado village, at 850m. 62 MetsovoTrekking Shelter, Mavrovouni, River. Has the longest span of any arched bridge in • E. Averof’s Institution Gallery Metsovo, Tel.: . View to Aoos springs artificial Lake, 47 Traditional cleaning mill for rugs and blankets, Historical & Archeological sites Metsovo. Tel.: (+30) 26560 41207 . (Trikomo, 1727) 63 DistratoTrekking Shelter, Chalet,Vasilitsa Ski (+30) 26560 41210, Fax: (+30) 26560 42617 Valia Kalda Valley and to Flega lakes. Monasteries – Churches Samarina village. 56 Anitsa War Monument, commemorated to the 40 Kagelia Bridge, double-arched, Venetikos River 48 Resort, Tel.: (+30) 24620 82820, Mob.: (+30) 6980 214027 42617 Visiting hours: 10a.m.-16p.m. daily (Tuesdays 28 Panorama location at Aftia peak, of the Ligos 29 St. Paraskevi Monastery (Samarina, 1713) Traditional cleaning mill for rugs and blankets, battles of the Pindos 1940-41. Accessible from the (Trikomo, Monahiti, 19th c.) 64 Gomara Trekking Shelter - Chalet “Vasilitsa 1850”, closed). www.averoffmuseum.gr [email protected]. Mountain. View to Aoos springs artificial Lake 30 Megali Panagia Church (Samarina) at “Manakia” location outside Avdela village. old road from Fillipei to Samarina village. 41 Portitsa Bridge, double-arched, Venetikos 49 Vasilitsa Ski Resort, Grevena, Mob.: (+30) 6944 425074 Paintings and sculptures made by Greek artists of and to Valia Kalda Valley. 31 Assumption of Mary (Koimisi tis Theotokou) Katsogiannis Watermill. Located 2km east of 57 Acropolis and tombs, found at the archeological River, at Portitsa gorge (Spileao , 1793) -Katsogianni 65 the 19th and 20th century. Spileao, by the Venetikos River. Vasilitsa Trekking Shelter - Chalet, Vasilitsa Ski

Site: www.pindosnationalpark.gr Site:

Telephone: 26530 22245, 26530 22241, Fax: 26530 22241 22241 26530 Fax: 22241, 26530 22245, 26530 Telephone:

Aspragelloi, Zagori, Zip code: 44007, Ioannina 44007, code: Zip Zagori, Aspragelloi,

The Pindos National Park hosts one of the most mer the slopes host a Mountain Bike Park and Parks National Pindos and Vikos-Aoos of Agency Management Skibeautiful Resorts ski resorts of . Located on the Pan-Hellenic Downhill Race. Park National Pindos Northern Mount Vasilitsa (2,249m) 42km northwest of the For ski reports and announcements, contact the

city of Grevena, the ski centre was founded in Vasilitsa Ski Resort Management Agency: Tel.:

The Northern Pindos National Park 1975 and established as the National Ski Cen- Intl Access + 30 – 24620-76530 or visit their web- reserved. rights All E.Papatheodorou.. tre of Greece in 1991. Winter sports enthusiasts site at www.vasilitsa.com. Tzatzanis, I. of archives photo the Agency, Management Park’s National the to belong publication this in used Photographs The mountainous woodlands of Northern Pindos that is, Valia Kalda, the Vikos Gorge and Aoos praise the quality and depth of its snow cover Metsovo has built a modern ski resort (Profitis host an exceptional ecosystem, inviting visitors Canyon. These are the environmental hearts of and its extended snow season: the resort is open Ilias Ski Resort) on Mount Politsies, right next to appreciate pristine mountain and forest the park and require the most effective protection Brown bear to ProfitisIlias Chapel, at 1,360m in altitude. Ap- (Ursus arctos). (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) for skiing from the first of December to March, environments. Preservation of this rare ecology has of the existing natural environment with minimal and sometimes well into April. Vasilitsa offers propriate for beginners, it hosts five downhill ski required the creation of an innovative, effective human intervention. Scientific research, guided alpine, slalom, downhill, freestyle, cross-country slopes, one cross-country ski run, 2 surface lifts management policy. tours for visitors and eco-tourist programs have and snowboarding opportunities and hosts sev- and a baby lift. Still in a development phase, this been designed to allow access to these areas, with eral winter sport competitions each year. It now centre offers a chalet with restaurant and cafete- The Northern Pindos National Park was created the least environmental impact. hosts 18 runs, one of which is the longest natural ria, a ski school and an equipment & snowmobile in 2005 with the unification of Valia Kalda and 2. Four areas adjacent to the environmentally ski run in Greece, 7 lifts (including 2 chair lifts, 4 rental store. Vikos-Aoos National Forests and incorporation sensitive core areas have been delineated as t-bars and a “baby-lift”) and a snowboard terrain For more information and announcements: Tel.: of the intervening wilderness region. With an Habitat and Species Conservation Zones park at 1,850m. Mount Vasilitsa is ideal for off- Intl Access + 30 – 265602911, 2656042772, area of nearly two thousand square kilometers (Zone II). The land uses in these areas are also season fitness activities as well, such as Nordic 2656041095, 265604263 or visit their website : (1.969.741.000sq.m.), it is the largest National Park restricted to preserve the natural environment. (ski) walking and trekking, while during the sum- www.metsovo-ski.gr. on the Greek mainland. The Park includes nearly all The sustainable management of these zones the Zagori district, parts of Konitsa and Metsovo, includes research activities and encouragement of and the western region of Grevena County. traditional agriculture. 3. The Main Area of the Park constitutes the TheManagement Management Agency ofof Vikos-Aoos the and National The Agency personnel Park consist of 22 people includ- The Park offers a unique combination of natural largest area of the National Park and includes Pindos National Parks was founded in 2002, and ing scientific staff, tour guides and rangers. The wilderness regions and traditional villages. A large several village lands where environmental and since 2007 has overseen operation of the North- “mission statement” of the Agency is to preserve number of endemic plant and animal species thrive traditional mountain lifestyles are protected. The Falco peregrinus Metsovo Information Centre ern Pindos National Park. The Park agency is the natural environment of the Northern Pindos on mountain slopes of rare geologic significance. Park promotes the preservation of traditional within the Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, National Park while promoting sustainable and Eleven regions of the EU wide network of nature activities, with maintenance of the environmental Physical Planning and Public Works, dedicated to traditional development within the Park’s area. protection areas “NATURA 2000” are included balance. Eco-tourism and education in this area is supervision of protected wildlife areas and it is The implementation for the supervision and the at the National Park, eleven Wildlife Refuges, encouraged. administered by an eleven-member Administra- guarding of the protected area of Northern Pin- a Biogenetic Reserve Region (Valia Kalda) and 4. Areas outlying the National Park borders, but tive Board. dos National Park is coordinated in accordance to two areas that are internationally recognized as considered essential to the Park’s ecosystem are Management is responsible for the implementa- an approved plan that is adjusted on an annual Portitsa Gorge bird conservation sanctuaries. The mountain of included in four Peripheral Zones (Zone P). The tion of protective restrictions within the land use basis. For optimal coverage of the Park area, the Orliakas, at the east of the Park region, is an “Area Peripheral areas are buffers between the highly zones of the Park area, data collection required Management Agency has four park ranger teams of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” In 2010, the protected areas of the Park and the surrounding for environmental monitoring, proposals of sci- covering the regions of Zagori, Metsovo, Konitsa Vikos-Aoos region, hosting the world’s steepest region. Land use restrictions are placed on activities entific research initiatives, and of technical and and Grevena. The Agency also operates four In- gorge (Guinness World Record), was established that have a negative effect on the maintenance infrastructure projects. The Park Management formation Centres to aid visitors and scientists as an International Geopark by UNESCO, due to its of the Park area in a natural state. The Peripheral Agency is headquartered in Grevena, but its ad- gain background and travel information. The large geological and geomorphological value. An areas overlap the range of protected species, ministration services currently are accommodat- Centres host educational programs for schools, aspiring UNESCO Geopark, the Tethys Geopark, is such as the brown bear (Ursusarctos) and other ed at the Vikos-Aoos Information Centre, located give tourist information and promote eco-tourist located in the Grevena region of the Park. wildlife. Sustainable growth and development of at Aspragelli, Zagori of Ioannina. projects. Monitoring program Patrolling in Valia Kalda recreational activities are promoted, with a goal or restoring these buffer zone regions to a more The Land Use within the National Park is an School educational program innovative scheme that unifies the protection of natural, but economically sustainable, state. wilderness and conservation areas with traditional rural cultures dependent on herding, lumbering In general, traditional animal husbandry, and mountain-based agriculture. To preserve the agriculture, forestry usage, and the production ecosystem and traditional mountain lifestyle, a and marketing of local resources and commodities land-use management system was developed are protected. The development of tourist that established a graded system of conservation facilities, “agri-business” scale farming, and zones. hydroelectric projects are restricted. Country inns Four distinct management regions have been and guesthouses, trekking shelters, and small-scale delineated over the park area: agricultural units that promote environmental 1. The Nature Reserve Areas (Zone I) include the conservation and traditional lifestyles are Orchid core areas (National Forests) of the National Park, encouraged. (Acamptis pyramidalis) Valia Calda

Λίμνη Μετσόβου

Roe Salamander Aoos Canyon (Capreolus capreolus) (Salamndra salamndra)

Flega Dragon lake

EcologicalThe fact that the park hosts Value many rare ecosystem particularly the Egyptian vulture (Neophron types and many endemic species of fauna and percnopterus), which is a universally endangered flora adds a high ecological value to the protected species, the (Aguila chrysaetus), the area. The biology of the region is determined by robin (Falco pereginus), the fish hawk (Hieraetus the particular topography (high mountain ranges, pennatus), the osprey (Circaetus gallicus) and ravines, slopes with different orientation), the the golden hawk (Falco biarrnicus). There is also geology and the presence of special rocks, the a remarkable woodpecker presence, such as the climatic conditions and the presence of humans large black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and throughout the years. the Balkan woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriaca). Over 2000 plant species have been catalogued 30 reptile species are encountered the National throughout the area of the Park. Many flowering Park area, including 16 lizard, 10 snake and 4 plants and herbs are endemic and considered turtle species. Indicatively, we note the presence Kagelia Bridge, Trikomo Trapezitsa-Konitsa endangered species. Among the fungi of the of the Dalamatian Algyroides lizard (Algyroides area, over 2500 species of mushroom have been nigropunctatus), the Japanese striped snake documented. (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata). Wild life in the park includes 60 species of Out of the 14 amphibian species that are hosted in mammals, among these almost all of the the area, of particular interest are the alpine newts endangered mammals of Greece. The most (Triturusalpestris) or the “dragons”, located at important are the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra high altitudes, such as the Dragon lakes at Mounts balcanica) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos). The Smolikas, Tymfi and Flega and the salamander populations of these species are higher in the (Salamandra salamandra). The Park’s rivers and park refuge than anywhere else in Greece. Other their tributaries make an excellent habitat for important species include the wolf (Canis lupus), 17 species of fish, among which: the pindovino Mount Tymfi the roe (Capreolus capreolus), the wild cat (Felis (Barbatula ), an endemic species, only found sylvestris), the otter (Lutra lutra) and some of the in Aoos River; the Albanian Roach (Pachychilon more common ones, such as the boar (Sus scrofa) pictum), another two endemic species of trout that has a population increase in the region. Some (Salmofarioides και Salmopelagonicus), also found traces and observations indicate the lynx’s (Lynxl in Aoos River and some more common species, ynx) periodical presence in the region. such as the trout (Salmo trutta), the fresh water mullet (Leuciscus cephalus), the common nase NORTHERN PINDOS NATIONAL PARK Among the 186 species of birds that the area (Chondrostoma nasus) and the barbel (Barbus hosts, the birds of prey are of great interest and peloponnesius). Dikorfo Vasilitsa Ski Resort Vikos Gorge