Metsovo
This is a very popular winter vacation destination. I initially visited Metsovo on a day coach trip, but I was so impressed with the beautiful area and town that we returned two weeks later for an overnight stay at one of the many hotels/guest houses. This allowed more time to visit the art gallery and museum.
Area - Metsovo is a town in Epirus, in the mountains of Pindus, Northern Greece between Ioannina to the West and Meteora to the East. The largest of Aromanian (Vlach) life in Greece. Metsovo is a large regional hub for several small villages and settlements in the Pindus region. It features shops, schools, offices, services, museums and galleries. Metsovo is dominated by agriculture and tourism, the latter of which flourishes in winter.
Following the sign posts to Anilio we ventured up into the picturesque snow covered mountains. We first visited the Metsovo Ski Centre (actually made up of three small resorts). On arrival it was snowing and the visibility was poor but there were plenty of visitors having fun in the thick snow.
There are great facilities for all age groups including ski school instruction, ski runs for all levels, 3 lifts, snowboards and skidoos and ski hire.
There are restaurant and bar facilities, although we found these were extremely busy on weekends (peak times) with many people queuing to get in.
Venturing back down into Metsovo village our coach parked at the outskirts of the village by the war memorial and we walked down past a quaint little church.
If visiting by car during a weekend I recommend arriving before 10.30am and using the signed parking facilities. The village becomes very busy with several coach tourists and parking is often policed.
On my return to Metsovo two weeks later, the weather conditions were glorious sunshine so my photographs show the village with and without snow.
Walking down the main road and into the village square you will pass a selection of tourist shops, delicatessens, a bakery, petrol station, a carpenters workshop, the Town Hall and a natural spring water fountain.
Town Hall.
Bakery Petrol Station
Carpenters Workshop
The fountain in Metsovo square.
The 'Fontana di Campori di Dizpura' or 'tap of the Town Hall' was built in 1858. Its name meaning, 'Tap over the Square' came from where its situated. The tap is made of stone and adorned with the reliefs on stone slabs, such as a bicephal eagle and hunting scenes. The inscription lists the names of donors and the committee who build it.
Venturing between buildings you will find old quaint windows and doorways.
'Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi' is located in the heart of the village, alongside a park area. Internal photographs are prohibited but the Orthodox Church is actively open for services and visitors.
Stroll up and behind the square for another small park area and more roof top mountain views.
The Metsovo cuisine is centered around dairy products, goats and sheep and forest products such as mushrooms, wild greens and herbs. Also try local sausage and egg pasta.
Metsovo is renowned for its local cheeses.
Metsovone - a smoked semi hard cheese made of cow and goats milk, allowed to mature for three months and then exposed over smoke by burning special grass and herbs for 12 days.
Also Metsovella and other local cheeses made with infusions of red wine, pepper and herbs.
Galotyri - a soft creamy cheese, spread on bread and pies, all washed down with local wine.
The village is not short of eateries with souvlaki, meat on the spit and cosy log fires burning. In the evening the tavernas are attractively lit up and the smoke from the meat grills waft around enticingly.
This mountainous area is famous for its wild brown bears, although you are unlikely to see any. Not to be disappointed we chose the Metsovorama Cafe-bar for hot chocolate and cake. Very popular with visitors and with a super balcony view of the Pindus mountains. It even has a selfie booth!! Check out their Facebook page.
In the market square you will find a monument to the brown Bear of Pindus. This majestic mammal that now only counts 350-400 individuals. For the more adventurous walkers you can follow the URSA Trail On the Tracks of the Bear. https://www.ursatrail.gr/en/main/
Nearby, at the foot of a flight of stone steps, there is a statue of a shepherd carrying a sheep.
The steps rise up the side of a hill in the village centre called the Kastro (castle). This is where the village fortress once stood.
The top is now a small park and popular picnic/rest area with views over Metsovo and its mountain backdrop.
Also at the top is a statue of Evangelos Averoff. (the photo on the right !!) The politician, great local benefactor and visionary to who Metsovo owes thanks to today, as a tourist destination rather than an abandoned mountain village.
Walking behind and down below the statue, via a work of modern art called 'the pathway', which imitates steps (but feels strange to walk on) leads you to the Averoff Gallery.
Take a moment to admire the mountain view.
The Averoff Art Gallery in Metsovo houses the works of some of the most important fine artists of Greece.
Its permanent collection boasts works by all the major Greek painters of the 19th-20th centuries, such as Gyzis, Lytras, Volanakis, and Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas.
PREKAS Paris (1926 -1999)
Portrait of Evaggelos Averoff-Tossizzas. Oil on canvas
IAKOVIDIS George (1853-1932)
Portrate of Queen Sofia 1915. Oil on canvas.
PANTAZIS Pericles 91849-1884). Street urchin eating watermelon, 1880. Oil on canvas.
Also works by major Greek sculptures and printmakers, temporary collections and exhibitions of art from other major museums and even private collections.
PAPAGIANNIS Theodoros (1942) From the series "My Ghosts", 1994. Wood from the charred relics of the Polytechneio and other recyclable materials.
KLIAFA Peggy (1967)
Armory Shield Placebo Series 2016. Aluminium pill blisters, aluminium foil, silicone, plexi glass, led light.
There is also a children's workshop, projection room and museum gift shop.
I would definitely recommend a visit here if you are looking to immerse yourself in a quiet moment of Greek culture and art. The link below is the official website.
Open 10am - 4 pm. Tel 2656041210. Entrance fee 5€ with student and group concessions.
https://www.averoffmuseum.gr/en
Metsovo Folk/Art Museum. Look for the yellow signs on the main road and walk up the steps to the large wooden mansion door.
A 17th century, three story mansion, built in 1661, home of the Tossizza family.
The Vlach architecture is very distinctive; Metsovo village is preserved to this day. I was told that all new buildings must retain stone at the bottom, in keeping with the village's original architecture, otherwise mains electricity will not be granted.
The museum hosts more than 300 years of history; a rich collection of artifacts and documents are on display. Everyday life objects, traditional clothing, furniture, silverware, icons and 19th Century woven art. A wonderful insight of this upper-class family lifestyle, roles and pace of life of the village inhabitants, and national historical memory.
In 1991 the museums third floor was dedicated to Evangelos Averoff, featuring personal items and photographs from his life.
Viewing is by guided tour every 30 minutes and there is also a video room for more in-depth history, but unfortunately photographs are not permitted.
The link below is the official website of which there are photographs of what to expect and I highly recommend a visit.
Open 10am - 4pm (except Thursday). Entrance fee 5€. Concessions; groups 3€ students 2€.
Tel. 26560 41084
https://metsovomuseum.gr/folk-art-museum/
There is plenty to do both in Metsovo village and the surrounding area for a weekend/week stay and there are many hotels and guest houses available. We certainly didn't do it all in one overnight stay.
We chose the Apollon Hotel recommended by a friend, and due to the fact it has free underground parking facilities and central for walking to all tavernas and museums.
This family-run hotel with traditional décor, perfectly situated in the heart of Metsovo village, is super clean and well maintained. A very friendly warm welcome, and a plentiful self service breakfast. Easy to check availability on booking.com and in my opinion very good value.
See below for the official website which also has information on places to visit in the area.
https://apollonmetsovo.gr/en/
View from Room balcony
There were many more attractions in the Metsovo area that we did not have time to visit on this occasion, so we will definitely return and stay at the Apollon Hotel again, maybe even at a different time of year.
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