Metsovo is history, culture, and twists and turns. Chestnuts are roasting in the fireplace, breathtaking views, snuggling with company and good food, rest, a walk in the greenery, and discoveries.
Metsovo bears the stamp of a man who envisioned and created the country`s first winter destination. Evangelos Averov, with vision and daring, worked for decades to revitalise an entire place.
In the early 1960s, he began reclamation of the abandoned slopes of Pindos and took the first steps towards the production of fine wine. Today, you can tour one of the most beautiful wineries in Greece, Katogi Averoff, a multi-dimensional theme wine park. In the enchanting guesthouse next to the winery, you can taste the classic Katogi Averoff. This historic wine represents the first attempt to marry Greek and foreign varieties about half a century ago, overlooking the Pindos, Rossiu di Munte, a unique expression of the Vlachiko variety, Inima an exciting version of a rosé wine from Negosca. If you are lucky, you will also drink the Maré Ursa, a collector`s wine from Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the homonymous guesthouse, you can sleep in white or red rooms, depending on your preferred wine, enjoy artwork, read wine-themed books, and taste Epirus delicacies before the fireplace.
If you want to know how the Epirus people fried eggs, how the rich women of the time ironed their clothes on their travels and why tsarouchia have a tassel, you will find all the answers at the Folklore Museum. A magnificent mansion built with the personal care of Evangelos Averoff for Tositsas himself has been transformed into a museum that tells the daily life of the bourgeois of Epirus in the 18th and 19th centuries. Unique hagiographies, carpets and local costumes are framed by objects that testify to the details of everyday life.
Amidst the mountains and the wild mountains, a visual surprise awaits you. The Gallery of the Averoff Foundation is an art space that would be the envy of many capitals. Its permanent exhibition is a panorama of Greek paintings from the last two centuries.
Metsovo, perched on the mountains, is a gastronomic paradise!
Start from its unique cheeses. Black pepper chevre, the classic smoked Mezzovone, the playful Mezzovella, the Mezzovian Gruyere and, of course, the now-rare Parmesan are true gastronomic ambassadors of the region. Excellent meats from the numerous herds grazing in Pindos, spicy and non-spicy sausages and, of course, the famous Epirus pies.
One of the most beautiful corners of Metsovo is also represented by the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which has a small vineyard surrounding it.
A church that had been dilapidated for years with monastic cells in complete abandonment was "resurrected" after years of efforts by Evangelos Averoff himself and has been transformed into a small paradise. Observe the Virgin Mary Vrefokratousa at the entrance of the church, one of the rare hagiographies depicting the Virgin Mary breastfeeding, the breadbaskets, the two-faced icon of St. Nicholas, and the elaborate tapestries of the women`s loft. The fresco depicting Metsovo at the beginning of the 19th century stands out in the chapel. Finally, visit the monks` cells with the rare windbreak.
Food
Since 1953, the café Delphas, (tel: 2656041474) in Anilio (photo above) has continuously operated, enabling residents to buy the essentials. Today, continuing its operation as a grocery store, visitors will find delicious local delicacies, with the traditional cheese pie, ribs and also gidotyri being the most popular.
Going to the heart of Metsovo, to the tavern Galaxy, (tel.: 2656041202), you will choose between meatballs with leek, handmade pies, trachanas, goat stew, and depending on the weather conditions, selected dishes with wild mushrooms. At Tzaki, (tel: 2656042702) in the square, for kokoretsi and kontosouvli, as well as at the classic 5F (2656041843) where, at least during our visit, we tried the most delicious fried potatoes, which we accompanied with the traditional galotiri. At Metsovo 1350, the restaurant (photo above) of the Grand Forest Hotel (photo below-tel. 2656300500), you will find the fine dining restaurant vision of the region, in dishes curated by chef Gikas Xenakis.
