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The impressive region of Ioannina in Epirus boasts for a wide variety of natural landscapes with high snow peaked mountains, canyons, lakes and traditionally built villages listed in the top winter destinations of Greece. The most famous are the villages named Zagorohoria, a network of traditional villages situated near to the ravine of Vikos-Aoos National Park and the town of Metsovo offering traditional hotels, cozy guesthouses and luxury pensions for your stay.
The significance of the region and its long history is evident in the existence of the sanctuary of Dodoni. Since the 3rd millennium the worship of Mother Earth was established here and later the worship of Zeus. The capital city of the region of Ioannina was founded in the 6th century AD by the great Byzantine Emperor Justinian and soon became an important commercial and cultural outpost. In 1082, however, it was raided by the Normans during the first stages of an east–west antagonism that peaked in 1204 when Latin Crusaders dismembered the Byzantine Empire. Numerous illustrious Greek families fled to Epirus that remained in control until the 14th century when Serbs arrived, followed briefly by Latins and finally by the Ottoman Turks, who conquered Epirus in 1430. The area Ioannina enjoyed special privileges and became one of the foremost cultural and artistic centres in Greece. In the 18th century the local governor of Ioannina Ali Pasha made Ioannina the capital of his personal fiefdom and enforced law and order. In 1822, Ali Pasha was murdered by Ottomans who re-established the Ottoman Rule in Ioannina. The region of Ioannina joined Greece in 1913, after the First Balkan War.Ioannina is a region situated in the north part of Epirus sharing borders with Albania to the north. The neighbouring regions are Kastoria, Grevena and Trikala to the east, Arta to the south, Preveza and Thesprotia to the west. The region spans an area of 4.990 sq. km. and a total population of 170.239 inhabitants. The capital city of the region is Ioannina. The region of Ioannina is covered mostly by the mountain range of Pindus with high mountains like: Gramos, Smolikas, Tymfi, Lakmos and Athamanika Mountains.The capital city of the region is named after the same name. The city of Ioannina is built by the banks of Lake Pamvotida and is a modern city with lovely view to the mountains that surround it. The Island in the Lake Pamvotida is a famous landmark in the city that offers accommodation facilities, intriguing local cuisine and bustling nightlife. The Cave of Perama is also an interesting site located 4km far from the city and one of the most important caves in Greece. The archaeological site of Dodoni is also worth a visit as it is one of the oldest Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece. The mountainous highlight of the region is Zagorohoria, a cluster of 46 villages scattered on the mountain slopes and the Vikos Gorge, near the unique National Park of Vikos-Aoos, a paradise on earth with almost one third of Greece’s flora. The most visited towns aparts from Zagorohoria are Metsovo and Konitsa towns.Police of Ioannina: +30 26510 26290
Tourist Police of Ioannina: +30 26510 65938
Hospital of Ioannina: +30 26510 80111, 26510 99111
Airport of Ioannina: +30 26510 27058
Bus services in Ioannina: +30 26510 26286
Ski Centre in Metsovo: +30 26560 41095
Profitis Ilias Ski Centre: +30 26560 42630 -
Map for Ioannina