Greek Region of Zagori declared a UNESCO World Heritage site

Zagori Cultural Landscape

The remote Zagori Cultural Landscape has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

It is the first Greek landscape to be recognised for its ‘modern-era heritage’ in the list and joins 18 other Greek landmarks including the Acropolis in Athens and the Old Town in Corfu. 

The UNESCO listing of the Zagori region comes in recognition of its ‘rich cultural heritage, unique rugged landscape and natural beauty’. 

UNESCO sees Zagori’s collection of stone villages as ‘showcasing a traditional architecture adapted to the mountain topography’. 

A mountain region in the northwestern corner of Greece, Zagori, has 46 stone-built villages. 

With an average of four inhabitants per square kilometre, the region presents a different side to Greece. 

The plunging Gorge of Vikos (the deepest in the world in proportion to its width as noted in Guinness World Records) and the Towers of Astraka are punctuated by the clear waters of the Voidomatis River.

With an average of four inhabitants per square kilometre, the region presents a different side to Greece. The plunging Gorge of Vikos) and the Towers of Astraka are punctuated by the clear waters of the Voidomatis River. 

There is the Pindus mountain range and visitors can also explore ancient monasteries, cross stone bridges that date back to the 18th century and enjoy the local cuisine. 

Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas, in the Zagori region, has 26 rooms, suites, and villas offering sweeping views, and open air spa and high-end restaurant, Salvia. 

It is a member of Beyond Green (Preferred Hotels Sustainability Accreditation) and the Zagori Excellence Network (ZEN). 

As such the resort works to protect the region’s environment, biodiversity, human geography and traditional economic activities and ways of life. 

* www.aristi.eu/en and https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1695 

* Samantha Martini at team4@grifcopr.com