Your Guide to Metsovo

Your Guide

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Metsovo is a small traditional town of exquisite beauty 130 0 with grand mansions and stone-paved streets. m Built in a strategic location amidst the breathtaking 12 0 setting of the0 m Pindos range, Metsovo is the ideal place to relax, or even enjoy an action-packed holiday!

Pindos ski centres are a hive of outdoor activities, such as downhill (alpine) skiing and snowboarding!

In the wider area, experience a pure adrenaline rush: hike marked trails, go for kayaking, ra ing, or mountain biking, and follow mountain routes riding off-road!

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Metsovo

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GRAND FOREST METSOVO

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Location, Accessibility & Distances

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Metsovo is located on the foothills of Pindus National Park, and is accessible via the Egnatia Odos Motorway.

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Igoumenitsa Port, 111km (1 hr)

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Ioannina Airport, 48km (40 min)

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Anilio Ski Resort, 10km (15 min) Metsovo Ski Resort ,11 km (15 min) Vasilitsa Ski Resort, 76km (2 hrs)

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Ioannina, 47km (30 min) Thessaloniki, 218km (2 hrs) Meteora, 70km (1 hr 10 min) Athens, 413Km (5 hrs)

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Zagori, 75km (1 hr 30 min) Ancient, Theatre of Dodoni 55km (50 min)

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History

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Albania – Tirana, 357km (4 hrs 30 mins) Bulgaria – Sofia, 516km (6 hrs 30 mins) Romania – Bucharest, 898km (10 hrs)

The city of Metsovo is reported for first time in 1380 a er Christ in the chronicle of brothers Proklos and Komninos. Initially it was a small settlement of shepherds. Later, because of its important geographic place, it enjoyed particular preferential treatment that 1 200 m contributed in its survival and accelerated the rhythms of multifarious growth in difficult times. It is reported that in 1430 a er Christ privileges were granted in the people of Metsovo by the Sultan Mourat the second, as a reward of the good behaviour. Renewal of this privileges happened in 1659 from the Sultan Mehmet the fourth. With base these privileges, the city of Metsovo and the surrounding villages Malakasi, Milia, Anilio, Votonosi, Old Koutsoufliani (Platanistos) and Derventista (Anthochorj) they constituted a kind of federation, an autonomous democratic state in the Ottoman Empire. The privileges of the city of Metsovo M ETS inO 1795 VO from the centralized state were suppressed of Ali Pasha. Exception constituted the Exarhia, which was maintained up to 1924. In 1700 a er Christ a self supported Greek school was founded in Metsovo , that was elected one of the more important centres of education, where the most important teachers of the era taught. The city of Metsovo suffered a big destruction on 27 March 1854 from the Turkish troops of Avdi Pasha.

It is the eminent Halasmos of Grivas. The progress that was made in the city of Metsovo a er the destruction 1100 m of Grivas, is owed to the benefactors elected to the city, who with the rich bequests that they le , they supported the city economically. The city of Metsovo was released from the Turkish on 31 October 1912 from forces of regular Greek army, Cretan volunteer soldiers and Epirus’ volunteers.

A N I LCritical I O importance for the modern economic and cultural growth of the city of Metsovo constitutes the Institution of Michael Tositsas, that was founded in 1948, from himself with the encouragement of Evangelos Averof Tositsas.

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Averoff Museum The Averoff Museum of Neohellenic Art has been GRAND FOREST operating in Metsovo, district of Ioannina, August 140since 0m METSOVO 1988. Its permanent exhibition comprises representative works by the major Greek painters, printmakers 1 and sculptors of the 19th30and 0 m 20th century, such as Gyzis, Lytras, 12 Volanakis, Iakovides, Parthenis, Maleas, 00 Galanis, Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, Moralis, Tetsis, and m many others. The museum’s Collection is regarded as one of the most complete and important of this period.

Tositsa Foundation Creamery In older times farmers from Metsovo produced dairy products for both personal consumption and for sale.

A notable rate of residents of Metsovo and the surrounding areas used to maintain small farms at their houses, to obtain milk, cheese and yogurt, which was necessary for daily nourishment.

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VARIETIES

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Metsovone: 100-90% cow ‘s milk and 0-10% goat’s milk.

Metsovela: 80% sheep’s milk and 10% cow’s milk -10% goat’s cheese.

Metsovo chèvre (100% goat’s milk).

Gruyère: 100% sheep’s milk.

Parmesan cheese: 100% cow’s milk.

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housed at the Tositsa Family Mansion and includes

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Averoff Winery The Averoff Winery is located in Metsovo and is a unique attraction of the Greek wine world. It combines nature with technology, tradition and innovation and the production process with a special wine experience.

With a history starting in late 1950s, Katogi Averoff was founded by the politician, writer and collector Evangelos Averoff. By replanting of vineyards in the region, which are among the vineyards with the highest altitude in Europe, and aims to produce high quality wines, Katogi Averoff records a brilliant way for more than half a century. Harmonized externally with the landscape and architecture of the area, it reveals the inner secrets of the magical world of wine. The tour of the cellars13is unforgettable experience that charms 00 an m all the senses. Among hundreds of oak barrels, inspired by the ancient god Dionysus and through a dynamic G k ou r aof audiovisual installations and art, the history of set Vrr is i V the estate unfolds and the production process of wine is described. The visit ends in the unique stylish wine bar of the winery with a variety of options for wine tasting, accompanied by fine local dishes.

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collectibles of the period 1650 – 1850: traditional wood cravings, furniture, textiles and embroidery, gold-embroidered costumes, decorative and utilitarian objects, weapons, coins, agricultural utensils, Icons .

From 1991 the third floor of the mansion hosts personal items and photographs of Evangelos Averoff – Tositsa, who had shown great care for the establishment and operation of the museum.

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Activities

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Wild Truffle Hunting The truffle (tartufo) is a rare type of underground mushroom, which coexists and grows on the roots of certain species of trees or shrubs. Their survival depends on trees and shrubs, creating a relationship called "mycorrhizal symbiosis", from which both parties benefit. The symbiosis is mostly specific in forest species such as cedar, hazelnuts, pine, holly poplars, oaks, willows and firs. A er the tour the Troufa Club will offer all our adventurous travelers a unique wild mushroom soup of the wider region. The guests will be welcomed and guided by Ms. Katerina Nola, the founder of Troufa Club.

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Hiking At The 3 Marked Routes Starting From Grand Forest’s Reception You may walk the paths on your own or book our guide for an insider adventure!

Mr. Le eris Fafalis will guide the guests in the forest.

M ETS VO German-born, Greek cross Le eris Fafalis is aOWest country skier who has competed since 1995. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 29th in the individual sprint event at Turin in 2006. Fafalis carried the Greek flag at the opening ceremonies of those same games. Le eris is also member of the organizing team of Ursa Trail, the ultimate mountain race, scheduled in your experience.

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Ra ing 1100 m The ra ing in Greece in recent years acquired fans.

Voidomatis, passing through the heart of the National Park of Vikos - Aoou, below the Papigkon famous for drinking water (the ra ing at Zagoria is must!), the Arachthos watersheds, with the rugged gorge and two of the most famous bridges of Epirus, these Plaka and A N I LTzoumerka IO Arta makes ra ing in Arachthos an unforgettable experience.

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Horse Riding Ride in the Virgin Forest with one of our Horses!

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Monastery of Aghios Nicholas The Monastery of St. Nicholas, is built on the riverside of Metsovitikos river on a hillside with vineyards. It was built around 1332, renovated in 1700 and 1960. The temple dates back to the late 17th century and frescoes from the 18th century, while some of them designed was designed by Stelios Papagiannis.

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Monastery of The Virgin Mary The Monastery of the Virgin Mary is dedicated on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and is located on the riverside of Metsovotikos river. It was built in the 17th century.

The cathedral contains fresoes and 13 0m Icons from01754.

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Church of Aghia Paraskevi The church of Ag. Paraskevi is located in Metsovo - in the center of the village - and perhaps has the most remarkable temple. For the original construction there are no written records, and renovations of the church GRAND FOREST 1400atmthe marked in 1511, 1705, 1759 and 1894 METSOVO expense of Georgios Averof, as well as the Tositsa Foundation in 1959 and131991-4. The church in its 00 m current form, is built on a three-aisled basilica, while 12 of cells indicates that the church was the the presence 00 m church of a monastery.

In the courtyard stands spire, built in the period 1880-1885, at the expense of Georgios Averoff. The interior of the church contains remarkable woodcarvings (icons, bishop's throne, pulpits). The temple of the church (formerly Gold) dates to 1730 and is the work of cra smen from Metsovo. On the temple the image of St. Nicholas of Metsovo dated 1755 is notable. Also on the temple there are 10 great Icons, most of which are dated to the period 1820-1834. The image of Agia Paraskevi is dated 1753.

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Saint George G k ou r a St.i George is located in a park and contains all types of Vrr is V trees found in Pindus National Park.

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Excursions – 1 hour Drive

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Perama Cave The Cave of Perama is located by the Pamvotis lake, just four miles away from the city of Ioannina, in Perama. It was accidentally discovered in 1940, during the Second War, and it was photographed for the first time by m 1300World Constantine Kasvikis. John and Anna Petrochilou (found-

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ers of the Greek Speleological company), became aware of the cave a er Kasviskis’ photographs, and began the systematic exploration and mapping. It consists of several successive halls and corridors adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, curtains and impressive columns in wonderful clusters. In 1956 he found fossilized teeth and bones of the cave bears. It occupies an area of 14.800 sq.m. and the tourist trail is a total of 1,100 meters.

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Museum of Greek History – Wax Effigies The Pavlos Vrellis Greek History Museum is a privately owned wax museum in Ioannina regional unit. It was set up by the sculptor Pavlos Vrellis in February 1983, and is the best known wax museum in Greece.

The museum hosts 150 wax models in 37 themes, inspired by various events from Greek history.

The wax effigies of the museum are displayed in life size, included in a faithful representation of the environment of their age and revive forms of the local history.

1 200 m Ancient Theatre of Dodoni The sanctuary of Dodoni was a major spiritual place in ancient Greece. It was the oldest of the Greek oracles and ancient people traveled great distances in order to consult the priests who foretold the future. Outside the temple of Zeus the priests gathered under the sacred 1100

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Oak tree and listened to the sound of the leaves as they shivered in the breeze and glimpsed at the future. 1100 m People from the entire known world would make the pilgrimage in ancient times in order to consult the future-telling Oak tree and to attend cultural festivals that took place regularly at Dodoni.

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Aoos Springs Lake ANILIO Constructed in 1987 for the production of electricity and became an important habitat and recreational area where guests can exercise angling, and admire the unique landscape.

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Zagori A cluster of 48 traditional picturesque villages (Epirus), built amphitheatrically in the wider area of Timfi, Pindos and Mitiskeli (Zagori region). Zagori's natural environment is exquisite and perfect for many outdoor activities. The local architecture is defined by stone, wood and slate rock.

The name “Zagori” is Slavic and means “beyond the mountains”. During Ottoman rule, the area reached its economic and intellectual peak.

However, Zagori declined a er Ali Pasha’s death (1822) when it lost the benefits it enjoyed. The wars of the 20th century also had devastating effects. Zagori is divided into Western, Central 130 Zagori. and Eastern 0

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Pindus National Park – Valia Kalda G kouPindus r a National Park, also known as Valia Kalda, is ilocated si Vr is in northwestern Greece and is probably the least known and least visited of any National Park in all of Europe. It was established in 1966 and considered one of the most important protected areas for the maintenance of mountainous biodiversity. The National Park is characterized by extensive forests ofFOREST black pine and beech in the GRAND 400 m pine park's lowerMETSOVO and middle altitudes and1Balkan at higher altitudes. The area hosts a population of Eurasian brown bears which is a conservation 130 0 m priority species. Other mammals that live in the 12 park are wolves, deer, wild cats and the Balkan 00 m Chamois. The park further provides shelter for more than 80 species of birds, including 10 types of rare bird species such as the Eastern imperial eagle, the Golden eagle and the Lanner falcon. A large variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects, complete the picture.

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Meteora is the second largest monastic and pilgrimage area in Greece a er Mount Athos. The first monks took refuge on these cliff tops fleeing an invading Turkish army around the 11th century. Several monasteries were built in the centuries that followed and all the building materials had to be winched up in baskets.

Until 1920 this was the sole means for getting supplies up to the monasteries. According to numerous historical sources, there were once thirty religious communities but today only six of them remain and can be visited; other smaller monasteries, mostly built during M ETS O VO the 14th century, are now deserted.

Nature lovers should not miss the opportunity to hike through winding stone paths and gaze at a unique geological phenomenon formed as a result of a chain of erosions and geological changes over a period of 15 million years. In 1988 Meteora was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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m Meteora Above the town of Kalambaka, on the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly, the visitor encounters a breathtaking site of impressive monasteries 14 0 “balanced” on0 massive detached stone pinnacles, m 400 metres above the ground. Meteora is one of Christianity’s holiest places as well as a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Visitors flock to this place every year, attracted by the daunting size of the rock formations where timelessness and beauty prevail, while they seek spiritual enlightenment far away from the earthly bustle.

The “stone forest” of Meteora is a perfect combination of natural and manmade landscape, practically inducing a sense of the transcendent. Visitors come here either to feel the aura of the contemplative seclusion of monastic life, and admire a truly unique natural landscape or to marvel at the outstanding architecture of the monasteries, the so-called “architecture of awe”.

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Egnatia Highway - Interchange 7A to Anilio 442 00 Metsovo, Epirus, Greece T +302656 300500, F +302656041124 info@grand-forest.gr, www.grand-forest.gr