Мецово

Какво можете да очаквате от Мецово

  Picturesque Metsovo is situated 57 km from Ioannina, on the slopes of Pindos at an altitude of 1.156 m. It numbers 6.000 inhabitants and has all the necessary infrastructure and Public Services. It attracts lots of tourists, especially in the winter months, as it is a well-known winter resort.
Metsovo has preserved its traditional colour and is known for its traditional products such as the wood carves, the woven textiles, gold thread embroideries, the silverware, and also the exceptional smoked cheese 'Metsovone' and many other dairy products.
Many of the inhabitants are of Vlach origins and it’s really remarkable that even today they maintain characteristics of their culture, such as the idiomatic language and the traditional clothing (the elders).

As for the name Metsovo, there are two opinions. The first one is that it derives from the Slavic words 'mets' and 'ovo', which mean 'the village of the bears'. The second one is that the name derives from the joint of the two Greek words 'meso' and 'vouni', which mean 'in the middle of the mountain', due to its geographical position.

Excavations in the area of Metsovo don't indicate systematic habitation since the prehistoric period. It seems that 5 or 6 centuries ago Metsovo was an important trade passage and  also a stop for the caravans traveling. Since the 14th century Metsovo has been a pastoral village because of its rich meadows.

During the Turkish occupation, Metsovo enjoyed privileges granted by the Sultan Murat II. It was then that Metsovo flourished in trade, economy and culture. Later, Ali Pasha revoked these privileges and together with the destruction of Metsovo by the troops of Avdi Pasha, caused many of the inhabitants to emigrate. Most of these people became rich and made many donations and public works in Metsovo, even until the present days.

Now it is a place where tourists can see what life was like in the Greek mountains in times gone past. The white houses with their tall white walls and red roofs are reminiscent of a Swiss village. The local townsfolk often dress in traditional costume, there are many handicrafts to be bought and regional fare to be sampled. The town now thrives on tourism, but remains true to its roots. The wine and cheese of the region are known as some of the best in the country.

Being a mountain village, Metsovo has access to the skiing fields near the Metsovo pass. The skiing is as good as it is anywhere in Greece.

Around the town, there are a number of cultural sites to be taken in. The Tositasas Mansion gives an insight into life in the 19th century, the rooms faithfully restored with original artefacts. The Averof Gallery has one of the best collections of 19th and 20th century Greek painting and sculpture as well as having items for sale. The fourteenth century monastery at the bottom of the gorge dedicated to St Nicholas is a thirty-minute walk out of the town and has some fascinating frescoes and icons.