Architecture
Zagori is gifted
with a rich architectural heritage.
Countless monuments and traditional settlements
are scattered all over the
1000 square kilometers of its surface.
Cobbled streets through the villages as well as in the rural areas between them, over 80 stone arched bridges, 24 monasteries and countless churches and chapels, all these numerous examples of Zagorian architecture have been preserved to a significant degree to this day.
This magnificent heritage was achieved thanks to the wealth generated by the commercial activity of the Zagorian diaspora. It was mainly the kindly spirit of its wealthy children, who had a very high sense of patriotism and contribution to society, behind many important buildings and infrastructure. The bridges in particular bear the name of the benefactor who undertook to finance their construction or important restoration work. The same was true for other important buildings. As for example in the case of the exceptional Triune Church of Negades, which was financed exclusively by Hatzimanthos Ginis, general supplier of the Ottoman army, who was born in this village.
Zagori was built and maintained by a caste of excellent masons from a renowned group of villages in the Konitsa region called Mastorochoria, who were responsible for the similar remarkable architectural heritage of many other parts of Greece, such as the Pelion, as well as distant parts of the Ottoman Empire or even Persia and Egypt.
Zagori lost much of its architectural heritage during World War II, as its inhabitants helped the resistance against the occupation forces. But even the affected villages still retain important examples of architecture, such as private houses, fountains, stone bridges, churches and monasteries.
In recent years, Zagori’s architectural heritage has been negatively affected by the demand for rapid tourist development and by the inadequate protection regime.
This trend is now hoped to be reversed, especially as Zagori is now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of September 2023.
Despite this loss, Zagori is still a remarkable architectural treasure.