Decorative and Religious Art

One of the most characteristic
forms of art in old Zagori
was the widespread
decorative art found in both,
religious and secular architecture,
on furniture, tools and utensils,
and on other everyday objects.
A selection of a small number
of examples from both traditions
is presented in the galleries below.

OLD DECORATIVE ART

Secular art was mostly exercised in house decoration
of the Zagorians, as well as in clothes and textiles of both,
old Zagorians and Sarakatsani transhumant (seasonal movement of livestock) shepherds.
There are still many Zagori houses decorated with murals
in various villages, mostly the work of Chionadite painters.
Unfortunately none of them are yet open to public visits.
But getting close to the locals and asking them for permission,
there is a good chance that a foreigner will be invited to visit such decorated houses,
especially during summer months or holidays, when most houses are re-inhabited.

RELIGIOUS ART

Religious art is found mostly in the region’s
25 monasteries and convents,
as well as in its hundreds of churches and chapels,
spread all over the 46 Zagori villages
and their surrounding areas.