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63-535: The municipal unit of Malakasi includes the settlements of Korydallos, Malakasi, Panagia, Pefki and Trygona. The village is part of the wider Zagori region, between Epirus and Thessaly . The village takes its name from the Malakasii , an Albanian tribe or clan that moved to the area from central Albania in the 14th century. The name most probably refers to the Albanian Malakasii tribe's region of origin in

126-696: A Turkish force of 1500 under Ismael Pasha arrived in Zagori, part of the total army of 20,000 sent against Ali Pasha. Alexis Noutsos from Kapesovo , a member of the Philike Hetairia , was in command of the force opposing Ismael Pasha. However, the Sultan's armies prevailed. Ismael Pasha removed most privileges other than the right to appoint a local governor (Vekylis), whose powers however became nominal. Ismael Pasha introduced very heavy taxation, amounting to 250 silver coins per person and additional taxation in kind. Zagori

189-561: A ban on Turks crossing the borders into the area. The Zagorisian League or Koinon of the Zagorisians (Κοινόν Ζαγορισίων) was formed after the treaty of 1431 with Sinan-Pasha. At that point the arrangement that granted local autonomy was called "Voiniko". The autonomy guaranteed non-interference in the local affairs by the Ottoman overlords. Zagorisians had their affairs entrusted to a Council of Elders called Demogerontia (Δημογεροντία), headed by

252-403: A festival that can last several days. Characteristic songs of mourning (moirologia) accompany the lamentation of the dead. Funerary rites include the exhumation of the bones of the deceased following a period of 1–3 years. The bones are washed, perfumed and placed in a wooden larnax and kept in ossuaries in each village. Historically, all the villages of the Zagori region were connected by

315-690: A general hospital. Primary aspects of the economy are agriculture and tourism; it is a popular starting point for tourists and hikers who want to explore the Pindos mountains, or who want to go rafting in the river Aoos or parapenting . Due to Konitsa's closeness to places of particular interest, such as the Vikos–Aoös National Park , which includes the Vikos Gorge , the Aoos Gorge and the Tymfi mountains, where

378-537: A haven for Greeks on the run from the Ottoman authorities. Several prominent scholars of the Greek Enlightenment , such as Neofytos Doukas , Georgios Gennadios and Athanasios Psalidas sought refuge here, after the Sultan's army destroyed Ioannina in 1820. Some among them even made plans to set up a university in the monastery of St John of Rogovou, near Tsepelovo . In 1820, after the rebellion of Ali Pasha ,

441-445: A president or governor called Vekylis (Βεκύλης). As part of the treaty they maintained a force of Sipahi cavalry (σπαχήδες), with each village contributing a number of horsemen to that force according to its means. Under the terms of this agreement no intervention by the Ottoman authorities was allowed, nor did any Ottoman armed units had the right to set foot on Zagori. The villages of Eastern Zagori, inhabited by Aromanians , entered

504-418: A system of paths or small roads and they functioned more like a single entity rather than as separate communities. Villages are built around a central square, also called mesochori (village centre) with a large church, a plane tree and a public fountain. Cobbled streets and footpaths interconnect the rest of the village. Each individual neighbourhood has a smaller church. Most churches in Zagori date from

567-636: A union between Neoptolemus (son of Achilles ) and Andromache (the wife of Hector of Troy ). Neoptolemus, also called Pyrrhus for his blond hair, was first in a line of Epirotan kings leading to the king Pyrrhus of Hellenistic times who launched several campaigns against the Romans in Italy . Olympias , the mother of Alexander the Great , was a Molossian princess. Remains of cyclopean walls in Skamneli also testify to

630-584: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Zagori Zagori ( Greek : Ζαγόρι ; Aromanian : Zagori ), is a region, a municipality, and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site , in the Pindus mountains in Epirus , in northwestern Greece . The seat of the municipality is the village Asprangeloi . It has an area of some 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi) and contains 46 villages known as Zagori villages (or Zagorochoria or Zagorohoria), and

693-414: Is a haven for endangered species and contains many and varied ecosystems. The municipality Zagori was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following five former municipalities, that became municipal units (constituent communities in brackets): Konitsa Konitsa ( Greek : Κόνιτσα , see also names in other languages ) is a town of Ioannina in Epirus , Greece . It

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756-426: Is an edifice in itself, covered by a stone roof and connecting the house to the rest of the village. In addition to the house, there are ancillary buildings, usually a " mageirio " (kitchen), an external toilet at the furthest corner from the kitchen, and stables. The main house is built with walls up to a meter thick that may have an internal sand compartment for insulation against the cold. The house entrance opens into

819-495: Is in the shape of an upturned equilateral triangle. Ioannina , the provincial capital, is at the southern point of the triangle, while the south-western side is formed by Mount Mitsikeli (1,810m). The Aoos river running north of Mt Tymphe forms the northern boundary, while the south-eastern side runs along the Varda river to Mount Mavrovouni (2,100m) near Metsovo . The municipality has an area of 989.796 km . The population of

882-544: Is located north of the capital Ioannina and near the Albanian border . Konitsa lies northeast of a group of villages known as the Zagorochoria . The town was built amphitheatrically-shaped on a mountain slope of the Pindos mountain range from where it overlooks the valley where the river Aoos meets the river Voidomatis . Konitsa acts as a regional hub for several small villages of Pindos, and features many shops, schools and

945-526: Is recorded for the first time under its modern name in the Chronicle of Ioannina of 1380. The chronicle mentioned that the defences of the castle of Konitsa were strengthened by the local Despot of Epirus , due to an imminent attack. In 15th century Konitsa came under Ottoman rule and became part of the Sanjak of Ioannina . The town was the administrative centre of a kaza (Ottoman district) which according to

1008-521: Is the oldest and most populated part of the Konitsa region, while the lower part is the newest and least populated. While Christians were a majority in the upper part of Konitsa, the lower part of Konitsa had a Muslim majority, consisting mostly of Muslim Albanian refugees from nearby settlements and regions like Leskovik , Kolonjë and Frashër (today located in Albania) who became agricultural laborers. Some of

1071-914: The Anagnostopouleios in their home village and contributed to the expenses for the Zosimaia School in Ioannina . Michael Anagnostopoulos from Papingo built the Kallineios School in Papingo and the Anagnostopouleios School in Konitsa . As a result of the numerous schools, the Greek language was preserved in the area. As the mountains were outside the direct rule of the Ottoman Empire , they offered

1134-552: The Despotate of Epirus was reformed and was under Latin rule by Carlo II Tocco when Ioannina and Zagori fell to the Turks in 1430, at the time of Sultan Murad II . Zagori (which then only consisted of 14 villages) "bowed the knee", which meant in practice that there were obligations between delegations of the two sides and a sum in tax was agreed upon in exchange for very considerable privileges: autonomy, administrative independence, and

1197-582: The Second World War . At that time several of the villages of Zagori and the monastery of Votsa were burned in German reprisals . Most of the villages became deserted during the Greek Civil War of 1946–49. Since the 1980s, state initiatives aim to preserve the traditional character of the villages and the natural landscape. In September 2023, UNESCO added Zagori to the list of Cultural Landscapes, acknowledging

1260-547: The Treaty in 1480. Many toponyms in northern and eastern Zagori that have Aromanian etymology, while toponyms with mainly Greek or Slavic etymology are present in western and southern Zagori. In a 1986 study of 3546 local toponyms ~70% are mediated via Greek and ~30% via non-Greek languages in their modern form: 13% Aromanian, 8,3% Slavic, 5,2% Albanian and 2,2% Turkish, while in terms of linguistic origin 56% Greek, and about non-Greek (including loanwords that were already incorporated in

1323-410: The attic . The basement of the house contains cellars and other storage areas that may be used as additional quarters for animals. Few of the old manors survive, most having fallen victim to disrepair. In those that survive, the ondas room is the most spacious, has a large fireplace and may have floral frescoes . It was used for the reception of guests. More than 160 arched bridges were built in

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1386-617: The 15th century. Most of the Albanian settlement can be attributed to a later era and was fuelled by outward migration from Zagori of locals, which created the need for new inhabitants to help with local economic activities. Many Orthodox Albanians intermarried into the communities of Zagori or were adopted by Zagorisian families. They often served as guards for the villages of Zagori and their fields which had no military protection, however would occasionally resort to banditry. Hence Albanian immigrants filled these labour gaps and quickly became part of

1449-463: The 17–18th centuries onwards, although some older foundations survive. In most villages the main church consists of a sizeable basilica built of stone with a wooden roof covered by slate . They are decorated by mainly Epirotan iconographers in the Byzantine tradition. The entrance to the church may be protected by a colonnaded arcade . The campanile is usually detached from the church. Houses until

1512-413: The 18th century were simple rectangular dwellings, often with only a ground floor and with ancillary areas in the basement used as stables. Indeed, this appears to be the style of construction of the dwellings in the excavated Molossian site near Vitsa . Houses are built of local stone and have a roof made of stone tiles (either of limestone or sandstone ) which are held together without cement, only by

1575-467: The 18th century. Due to the thriving trade activities of the Zagorisian diaspora several instances of donations were recorded: bridges, cobblestones, fountains, schools, temples and monasteries and social charity. Up to the end of the Ottoman rule the native Zagorians preserved their social superiority over the other classes, as well they were engaged in lucrative and socially recognized professions. Among

1638-534: The 1950s. The stone arched bridges were built by benefactions from expatriate merchants in the 18th century and replaced older wooden bridges. The region has been historically difficult to access due to its mountainous terrain which likely contributed to its unique character. The Sarakatsani people who can be found in this area use several Greek words of a Northern Greek dialect not commonly found in Greek elsewhere. They are consequently considered by some as indigenous to

1701-635: The Greek army. During the 1950s the Muslim population numbered around 70 families and they further decreased over time to a few families due to conversions to Christianity or migration to their Muslim correligionists in Greek Thrace, in both cases for marriage. The present municipality Konitsa was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units (constituent communities in brackets): The Konitsa municipality has an area of 951.184 km ,

1764-519: The Ottoman General Census of 1881/82 had a total population of 16.570, consisting of 15.838 Orthodox Greeks , 1.429 Muslims and 3 Jews . During the Ottoman period some local Greek landowners converted to Islam to preserve their holdings. These converts formed a powerful and influential group in the area, living in the upper part of Konitsa alongside the Christians. The upper part of Konitsa

1827-553: The Sultan in 1868. This solution suited the conquerors and the conquered, as it added statutory rules to the geographical factors which had made Zagori a natural refuge. Consequently, Zagori was never broken up to be shared out among Turkish landowners. Its economy flourished thanks to expatriate merchants active in Romania , Ukraine , Russia and Constantinople , who through remittances to their families and numerous benefactions contributed to

1890-510: The Vikos Gorge and then continues to flow through its own smaller gorge into the river Aoös . The Vikos Gorge at 990m deep near Monodendri while Mt Tymphe, in which it lies, is 1350 m at its highest peak. It is one of the deepest gorges in the world, indeed the deepest in proportion to its width. The Vikos Gorge is also a site of major scientific interest, because it is in an almost pristine natural condition, untouched by human activity. It

1953-821: The Vikos spring water brand is collected, the Dragonlakes of Tymfi and Smolikas and the sulfur baths of Kavasila, contributed to the increase of tourism in the region. The town itself is known in Greek as Kónitsa (Κόνιτσα), the villages surrounding it are often known as the Konitsochoria, meaning "the villages of Konitsa". The town is known in Bulgarian as Коница (Konitsa) , Albanian as Konicë , in Aromanian as Cunitsã , and in Turkish as Koniçe . There are two main theories regarding

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2016-570: The Zagorians the most distinguished class due to their wealth and status were the archontes . The economic affluence of Zagori's past is still reflected in the architecture of the villages. This was accompanied by an impressive cultural and intellectual life that produced many renowned scholars and benefactors of Greece. Over the centuries, some groups of Orthodox Albanians (locally known as Arvanites ) settled in at least 12 villages of Zagori. Albanian settlers in Zagori must have been very few in

2079-399: The ancient town of "Molossis" which was located near modern Konitsa , in the northern boundary of Zagori, where the rivers Voidomatis, Aoös and Sarantaporos come together. The Molossians were known among else for a breed of great mastiffs they used to guard their flocks from wolves and bears and which were even used in war. Molossus , their eponymous ancestor, was said to have been born of

2142-511: The antiquity of human occupation. During the 9th–4th centuries B.C., a small Molossian settlement existed between Monodendri and Vitsa , including stone houses and two cemeteries which have yielded important findings. Additionally, foundations of fortifications and graves from the Hellenistic period have been found in Skamneli. However, throughout most of the historical time the local population

2205-536: The area is about 3,400, which gives a population density of 3.4 inhabitants per square kilometer, very sparse when compared to an average of 73.8 for Greece as a whole. Zagori is an area of great natural beauty, with striking geology and two National Parks, one including the river Aoos and the Vikos Gorge , the other around Valia Kalda, to the east of the imposing snow-capped Mt Tymphe . The 46 or so villages of Zagori were interconnected by mountain roads and traditional arched stone bridges until modern roads were opened in

2268-579: The area. The first evidence of human presence in the area is dated between 17,000 and 10,000 years ago. Important epipaleolithic artifacts have been unearthed from Kleidi Cave on the banks of Voidomatis . In antiquity, the region of Zagori was inhabited by the Tymphaeans and formed a part of the ancient kingdom of the Molossians , a Greek tribe of Epirus that gained control over all of Epirus in classical times. The Molossian royal house ruled Epirus from

2331-675: The building of several schools, some still surviving, for example the Common School of Greek Studies ( Greek : Κοινή Σχολή Ελληνικών Μαθημάτων) in Monodendri built by the brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizaris (1835). The brothers also funded the building of the Rizareios Ecclesiastical School in Athens (1844), while Zagori itself was under full Ottoman rule . The brothers Ioannis and Demetrios Anagnostopoulos from Dilofo founded

2394-414: The etymology of the name. The first states that the city takes its name from an ancient Epirote city named Knossos , which was located near modern-day Konitsa. According to this theory, the name is a corruption: Knossos -> Konissos -> Konissa -> Konitsa . The other theory states that the name is Slavic , from Koni (horse) and Tza (land), meaning horseland. According to a third theory,

2457-490: The exception of some toponyms- have disappeared. At that era Orthodox Roma families settled in most villages in low numbers. They served as musicians and blacksmiths in Zagori. Arvanites and Roma were considered metoikoi (literary: foreigners) and comprised the lower social class in the region and lived at the outskirts of the villages without civil and property rights in Zagori politics, and were assimilated. Greek nomadic communities of Sarakatsani appeared in Zagori in

2520-408: The fireplace there is a walled closet called " mesantra ". As an aid to its function, the mantzato often has a location in the south of the house. A usually wooden staircase leads from the hagiati to the upper floor landing called " krevatta ". This is a space between the bedrooms. In rare cases, the krevatta opens into a small balcony covered by a wooden roof. " Glavané " is a small entrance to

2583-583: The following Greek Civil War (1946–1949) the surrounding region became a major battleground, while in December 1947 communist guerrilla units unsuccessfully tried to capture the town. Almost all buildings inhabited by Muslim Albanians in Konitsa were destroyed during World War II warfare. The communists guerrillas had the opportunity to withdraw and regroup to the People's Republic of Albania and then launch repeated attacks against Konitsa, but were decisively defeated by

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2646-527: The foyer called " hagiati " which leads to adjoining rooms called " ondas " or " mantzato ". The hagiati originally was and sometimes still is a partially open area in front of the house. The name is probably derived from the Persian word Hayāt , a style of Persian garden with pavilions or other edifices. The mantzato is the main room for the winter months with a fireplace, a " tavla " (table) and seating areas that can be used as beds, called " basia ". Opposite

2709-400: The greater area of Zagori, many of which still stand helping travelers to cross the numerous rivers and streams of the region. They were mostly built during the 18th and 19th centuries by local master craftsmen using local stone. These bridges usually have one to three arches called "kamares" in Greek. One of the most iconic is the three arched bridge of Plakidas, also known as Kalogeriko, near

2772-511: The late 18th century. They were initially used as shepherds for the flocks of the native Zagorisians, but started developing their own flocks from the mid-19th century. Nevertheless, Zagori retained much of its Greek character through its system of government and the benefactions of its expatriates that favoured Greek education. The Koinon of the Zagorisians was reformalised by a treaty signed in 1670, under which Zagori enjoyed considerable privileges called Surutia, which were only rescinded fully by

2835-444: The local Greek elites had been Islamised there in order to preserve their social status. The native Muslim and Christian population exclusively spoke Greek in the two neighborhoods of the town. A Greek school was operating already from the end of the 18th century under Georgios Mostras, student of Balanos Vasilopoulos . Greek education was flourishing and in 1906 the kaza of Konitsa had 31 schools and 1,036 pupils. The functioning of

2898-399: The local Greek language): 14% Aromanian, 11.5% Slavic, 6% Albanian, 4.8% Turkish, 3.3% of mixed linguistic origin and 2.5% Latin. The main source of income for the local communities came from commercial activities which resulted in migration to distant places. From 17th century the economy of Zagori primarily depended on the remittances and bequests of the diaspora. This activity peaked at

2961-542: The local population. Most of them had already participated in the Greek national struggles as Klephts and were experienced warriors. Some Albanians from Konitsa ( Gorgopotamos , Chionades) worked as masons or painters in Zagori but rarely settled there. Christian Orthodox Albanians have settled in at least 12 Zagori villages, including Tristeno , Arísti , Megalo Papingo , Anthrakitis, Asprangeloi , Kavallari, Kipi , Leptokarya, Monodendri , Tsepelovo , Vitsa , Vradeto and possibly Kapesovo . Local Albanian traces, with

3024-496: The name comes from a local lord named Konis who allegedly built a castle in the city. During the Middle Bronze Age (2100–1900 BC) the region of Konitsa was inhabited by Proto-Greek populations. Latter in classical antiquity, the area was part of the territory of the Molossians . At the time of the reign of Pyrrhus of Epirus (297–272 BC) a number of forts existed in strategically important positions. The town of Konitsa

3087-525: The plain of Mallakastër in southern Albania . During the Ottoman period , Epirus and Aetolia-Acarnania were divided into five armatolikia : Malakasi, Tzoumerka , Xeromero , Lidorikion , and Venetiko . In May 1871, Malakasi was the seat of the Malakasi nahiye of the Ioannina kaza . The village is inhabited by "Vlachs" (Βλαχι), who are called Malakasi and inhabit the villages from Malakasi to Gardiki . This Thessaly location article

3150-409: The relative prosperity Zagori enjoyed during the period of Turkish rule . Schools for boys and, from the 18th century onwards, also for girls were built. Additionally, new churches and watermills to grind the corn were constructed, while the water wells were often decorated with ornamental fountains. In the 17th century, the villages of Western Zagori were also admitted to the Treaty , so that by 1678

3213-508: The school was interrupted during the turbulent times of Ali Pasha 's rule, however soon after it reopened following the initiative of Kosmas Thesprotos , a student of Athanasios Psalidas . During the Greek War of Independence (1821–1830) a Greek national identity was evident among local Muslims too. During the 19th century until the early 20th century (late Ottoman period), the tekke of Konitsa, similarly to other Albanian Bektashi tekkes,

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3276-606: The total number of villages in Zagori had increased to 60. Traditional medicine flourished in the form of " Vikos doctors ", who gathered herbs for their preparations from the Vikos gorge . As such Zagori became a major center of folk medicine . These herbal healers used special recipes that were often copies of ancient Greek recipes of Hippocrates or Dioscorides and became famous beyond the borders of Greece. The growing prosperity, aided by privileges obtained by Phanariotes of Zagorisian descent and benefactions from expatriates, allowed

3339-473: The town witnessed a first short-term occupation by units from Fascist Italy. The occupation units that entered Konitsa consisted of approximately 150 Muslim Albanians and 12 Italian soldiers, under the guidance of an Italian officer. They perpetrated lootings and broke into shops. In November 14, with the withdrawal of the Italians from the area, they proceeded to arrests and kidnappings of the local population. In

3402-410: The universal value of Zagori's architecture as a representative example of traditional, stone-built settlements. This recognition highlights its significance in the shared heritage of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture within the broader Balkan region. Unique customs are associated with Hellenistic or Christian festivals. The larger churches and monasteries celebrate their nominal saint feast with

3465-474: The village of Kipoi (Κἠποι). The Vikos Gorge or Vikos Canyon at the heart of the Vikos–Aoös National Park , is the most impressive natural feature of the region. A seasonal river runs through the Vikos Gorge which is about 38 km long. The deepest part of the gorge is about 12 km long. In the middle of its main part, far from road access or villages, it is traversed by Megas Lakkos, an equally deep secondary gorge. The Voidomatis river has its source in

3528-584: The village of Greveniti and the monastery of the Transfiguration near Kleidonia , founded in the 7th century by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus and the monastery of St John of Rogovou near Tsepelovo founded in 1028 by the sister of Emperor Romanos III Argyros. From 1204 to 1337 the region was part of the Despotate of Epirus . In the 14th century, when various Albanian clans made incursions into Epirus , Zagori

3591-408: The weight of the tiles above them. The stone roof therefore requires continual upkeep, subjected as it is to heavy snowfalls during the winter months. That older type was developed through the 18–19th centuries into more complex styles all the way to the multi-storied manors of the wealthier families of the late 18th century. Many houses are fronted by a walled courtyard or garden. The courtyard gate

3654-453: Was a covert center of culture, learning and tolerance, but also Albanian national activism against the Ottoman Empire . In that period some Konitsa residents developed a national consciousness resulting in individuals such as Faik Konitza and Mehmet Konica becoming important figures in the Albanian national movement . Apart from a small number of Albanian families, the local Muslim community had Greek as its mother tongue. Albanian speech

3717-451: Was a small town that consisted of a total of 800 dwellings, 200 of which were considered Albanian or Turkish . As a result of the population exchange agreement of 1923 between Greece and Turkey, roughly two-thirds of Konitsa's Muslims, were considered "Turks by origin" and left for Turkey in 1925. Another part moved to Albania. They were replaced with around 1,000 Greeks from Cappadocia . In early November 1940, during World War II,

3780-560: Was liberated in 1913 during the Balkan Wars . Following the union with Greece after the Balkan Wars , the area suffered a demographic decline partly due to emigration to Greek urban centres. The area of Epirus around Zagori bore the brunt of the Italian attack on Greece in 1940. The area became additionally affected by the conflicts between the Germans and the partisans of Napoleon Zervas during

3843-505: Was limited to the local Ottoman officials. On the other hand, the local Greek population displayed tolerance towards actions by the Albanians that did not reveal chauvinist inclinations. In c. 1856 the town had a Muslim majority population of 62% and was mainly Greek-speaking, while the kaza had a Christian majority. During the late 19th century Konitsa had a population of 7,000 of whom 4,000 were Christians and 3,000 Muslims. In 1924 Konitsa

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3906-582: Was sparse. The passage of the Slavs during the early Byzantine period is testified to by numerous placenames. The placename "Zagori" itself is probably derived from the Slavic Zagore meaning "beyond the mountains". Under the Byzantine Empire , Zagori occasionally attracted groups of soldiers who built villages and settled there. Several monasteries were royal endowments, including the monastery of Votsa near

3969-413: Was the source of soldiers that served in the Ioannina garrison. In turn, as the center of Greek rule, Ioannina shielded Zagori against Albanian attacks. As a result of the campaigns of Andronikos III Paleologos in 1337, the Despotate of Epirus and, therefore, Zagori along with Ioannina and the surrounding region came again briefly under Byzantine rule. The region came under Serbian rule in 1348 and

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