Set in a breathtaking location, at an elevation of 1.060 m. and just a short distance from the Vikos Gorge, Monodendri is one of the most popular villages for those who want to discover the wild beauty of Vikos, as well as the wider Zagori region.
Its hard to single out the most beautiful village in Zagori. Every village has its own charm and is a starting point for exciting explorations. Sheer cliffs, impressive cobbled paths that follow the lands contours, houses built from grey stone, plane tree-shaded squares and arched bridges set the scene in one of Greeces top mountain destinations.
Monodendri is one of the first villages in Zagori to develop tourism. Many visitors choose it as their base for getting to know the other villages of the area and the wild beauty of Vikos as the village is a starting point for the famous Vikos Gorge as well as for many mountaineering and hiking routes.
Monodendri: One of the most beautiful villages of Zagori
Built at an elevation of 1,060 meters in Central Zagori, about 40 km from Ioannina, Monodendri is one of the most beautiful and most popular villages in the area. The village enjoys a privileged position, as it is close to the Vikos Gorge and the slopes of Tymfi and Astraka. Monodendri showcases its lovely neighborhoods, narrow lanes, churches and houses, all crafted in the local style with the uniformity of grey stone.
Monodendri, which initially formed a community together with neighboring Vitsa, experienced great commercial and economic growth during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is the birthplace of the national benefactors Manthos and Georgios Rizaris, who founded the renowned Rizareios School. In the villageis the Rizareios Handicraft School of Monodendri, established in 1979, with the aim of preserving traditional crafts (the institution houses a showroom and a folk art shop). Also, in the renovated Pantazis Mansion operates the Rizareios Exhibition and Meeting Center that hosts cultural events and activities. The Church of Agios Athanasios dominates the villages central square, restored at the expense of the Rizari brothers.
Monastery of Agia Paraskevi: On the edge of the cliff
Among the dozens of historic monasteries of Zagori, the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi (1412) in Monodendri stands out for its location. Built on the edge of the Vikos gorge, it seems to hang in the air. To reach it, follow the short path from the central square in Monodendri. If you do not get enough of the view from there, 6 km after Monodendri lies the Oxia viewpoint, at the narrowest point of the Vikos Gorge, with a spellbinding view.
Hiking in the Vikos Gorge
Vikos Gorge is the areas ultimate attraction. It is one of the most famous gorges in Greece, and it holds a place in the Guinness Book as the gorge with the smallest opening in the world. The best way to experience it is, of course, by traversing it (with experienced guidance) along the areas marked trails. It will take effort (the route takes at least 5 hours), but you will be rewarded with scenes of incredible beauty.
The stone forest
The stone forest in the Zagori villages impresses every visitor. It is a formation of limestone that you cannot help but notice as you pass by. You will encounter it on the road from Monodendri towards Oxia. It looks like a forest of stones, as structures have formed from thinly layered limestones. If you find yourself there, you will certainly stop to take many photos and admire the landscape.
