Metsovo

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Metsovo
Μέτσοβο
Location
Metsovo (Greece)
Metsovo
Coordinates 39°46′N 21°11′E / 39.767, 21.183Coordinates: 39°46′N 21°11′E / 39.767, 21.183
Time zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Elevation (center): 1,160 m (3,806 ft)
Government
Country: Greece
Periphery: Epirus
Prefecture: Ioannina
Population statistics (as of 2001[1])
City Proper
 - Population: 4,417
Codes
Postal: 442 00
Area: 26560
Auto: ΙΝ

Metsovo (Greek: Μέτσοβο, Aromanian: Aminciu), formerly Metsovon, is a town in Epirus on the mountains of Pindus in northern Greece, between Ioannina to the north and Meteora to the south. The largest centre of Vlach life in Greece, Metsovo is bypassed by GR-6 (Ioannina - Trikala) and will be bypassed by the modern Via Egnatia.

The center of Metsovo
The center of Metsovo
Traditional craft shop in Metsovo
Traditional craft shop in Metsovo
An overview of the town
An overview of the town
Metsovo rooftops in winter showing surrounding Pindus Mountains
Metsovo rooftops in winter showing surrounding Pindus Mountains

The town is famous for its local cheeses (Metsovone and Metsovela) and winemaking industries, including the Katogi vineyard of the Averoff family. A museum named Averoff Gallery is dedicated to Georgios Averoff. Metsovo is also a popular winter vacation destination and a ski resort.

During the Second World War Metsovo was the capital of the Principality of Pindus.

Metsovo is the home of the benefactors Nikolaos Stournaris, Eleni Tositsa, Michail Tositsas and Georgios Averoff, in whose honor the National Technical University of Athens is called Metsovion in Greek. Another notable individual from Metsovo is the former minister and former leader of the New Democracy party Evangelos Averoff.

The Metsovo Ski Centre is situated nor far from downtown.

In the 1980s, a tunnel was under construction and was the longest in Greece. It alleviated traffic and does not use curvy roads. In 2006, the connection with Via Egnatia will make the sect of GR-6 (Ioannina - Trikala) into this superhighway and will have two interchanges for Metsovo.

[edit] Historical population

Year Communal population Change Municipal population
1981 2,705 - -
1991 2,917 212/7.84% 4,125
2001 3,195 278/9.53% 4,417

In the late 1980s, the communal population of Metsovo surpassed Konitsa making it second largest city in the Ioannina prefecture. The municipal population is smaller than Konitsa which makes it one of the largest.

[edit] External links