Metsovo, Epirus, Greece - Metsovo, Epir, Grčka

Metsovo is a town in the Epirus region. It is located between Ioannina in the north and Meteora in the south. Since 2006, Metsovo has been connected to the Egnatia motorway at two exits. A 5-6km road leads from Egnatia to Metsovo. Metsovo is becoming increasingly popular as a choice for an overnight stay on the way to the Ionian coast, but it is a place that is visited all year round, not just during the summer season. Winter tourism is probably even more developed than summer tourism due to the famous ski resorts in the area. It may not be in an ideal location, as it is 830km from Belgrade and can be quite tiring, but the place itself is very interesting, so it is worth driving a little longer on the first day, and then the next day in the morning you arrive at your destination and can use the afternoon for swimming. The exit sign for Metsovo is about 500m before the turn, and the separation is between two tunnels, so you should be careful and drive slower. On the way back, you should follow the “highway” sign, not Ioannina, so as not to take the old road. Metsovo is located on the slopes of the Pindos mountain, at 1200m above sea level, surrounded by fantastic nature, and the place itself is picturesque and like something out of a fairy tale. Metsovo has preserved its appearance for decades: cobblestone streets, houses and hotels made of stone and wood, lanterns and dim lights in the evening, traditionally decorated shops and stores. In the town itself, there is a large square, always full of people, both tourists and locals, many restaurants and taverns with excellent food. The square is dominated by the church dedicated to Saint Petka, which is worth visiting. There are three ski centers in the vicinity of Metsovo, so during the winter the place is full of skiers, and during the summer travelers to the Ionian coast and lovers of beautiful nature. Metsovo is a place where you can spend an entire vacation, not just one day. Metsovo does not have to be just a place to stay overnight like any other hotel along the way in Macedonia or through Greece, Metsovo is an experience in itself.
Metsovo is considered the hydrographic heart of Greece because the three largest Greek rivers, Peneus, Aos and Achelos, originate near it. The artificial lake of Aos is about 20km from Metsovo and if you have enough time, you can visit it. It is located at an altitude of 1343m and can be reached by car, and you can also drive around it. It is an important hydro biotope where various birds have found their habitat. If you come to the lake from Metsovo, head north, counterclockwise, to drive on the road that is closer to the lake. On the southeast side, the road is too far from the water, which you can see on the map. The lake is surrounded by untouched nature, and you can also encounter wild horses and large herds of cows and sheep. Metsovo has had several ups and downs throughout its history, but it experienced its heyday at the end of the last century, which continues to this day. The rise of Metsovo and almost all its attractions are associated with the name of Evangelos Averof. He was a very prominent Greek politician and philanthropist, originally from Metsovo, who after World War II saw that Metsovo was in decline. Young people were moving to big cities in search of work and a better life. In 1947, Averof, together with the wealthy Baron Michael Tositas, founded a foundation to support and develop the region and led it for the next 40 years. The funds raised through the foundation were used to build a folklore museum, an elementary school, a hospital, a woodworking factory, a ski resort and a dairy farm. Old buildings, churches and monasteries were preserved, cobbled paths were paved, an irrigation system was built, roads were improved, three million trees were planted, 150 schools were started throughout the region, and a student accommodation unit was built for students from Epirus at the University of Athens. As part of this truly fascinating effort to help Metsovo and the region, a hotel with a winery was built in Metsovo to help develop tourism. This was the first step in the development of wine tourism in Greece. Thanks to Averoff, a lot of effort was made to turn the abandoned land around Metsovo into quality vineyards. Katogi Winery still produces top-quality and some of the most respected and awarded wines in Greece. If you visit Metsovo, be sure to visit the winery. During the half-hour tour, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the winery and the history of the place, taste the wines and buy them if you wish. The award-winning and most famous wines are Inima Negoska and Flogero, which are stored in oak barrels for 12 months. The Folklore Museum is a former villa belonging to the Tositsa family. It consists of three levels and you can see a detailed presentation of everyday life in Metsovo. There is a rich collection of objects available, including woven materials, wedding jewelry, costumes..

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