Zygovisti: trails, history, facilities, routes

Explore Zygovisti

Zygovisti is a small village to the north of mount Klinitsa, between the large plateau Kammos, the main agricultural resource of the village, and the fir forest of mount Menalon. The name probably comes from the place name Zygos (="major col"), which was probably attributed to the area because of its vicinity to an important mountain pass of Western Menalo (nowadays known as Bilalis Pass).

Zygovisti
Zygovisti
Google maps directions Adjacent town: Elati

The village was colonized in the 16th c. by the family of Kontogianis as they moved here from their village of Aemyaloi in Messinia. The same family also founded in 1608 the Aemyalon monastery, on the crest of Lousios valley, just below Zygovisti.

Μαίναλο topoguide
Zygovisti
The impressing memorial of the "Immortals"

Zygovisti holds two other old religious monuments, that date back to the same period, the churches of Agios Nicholaos (1638) and Agios Ioannis (1643), on the southern and the northern entrance of the settlement respectivelly, while the parish churches of the Metamorfosi and the remote monastery of Agii Apostoli date to the early 19th c. Other interesting buildings of the 18th-19th century are the school (1830) and the tavern Asikides (1748).

Mt Menalon topoguide
Zygovisti
People from Zygovisti, even living elsewhere, always declare "present" on the day of the Transfiguration of the Savior ("Metamorfosis tou Sotira", August 6), day of the annual celebration of the parish church of the village

A high point in the history of Zygovisti is the participation of its inhabitants in the personal guard of Theodoros Kolokotronis during the War of Independence of 1821. At the entrance of the village a marble monument has been erected in their memory in the form of open book listing the names of the fighters.

Μαίναλο topoguide
Zygovisti
The historical building of the "Asikides tavern"

Zygovisti is located well outside the main Stemnitsa-Dimitsana road. The village keeps a minimum of agricultural activities, yet manages to maintain the vitality of a seasonal settlement. In the center of the village, next to the imposing church of Agia Sotira, there are two taverns (one open all year round).

Mt Menalon topoguide
Zygovisti
"Piso Vrysi" fountain

Hiking around Zygovisti

The guide Menalon topoguide includes several hiking routes that start, converge or pass through Zygovisti.

Text and photos by T. Adamakopoulos

topoguide Greece

A guide to Mt Menalon

topoguide Greece
The most comprehensive companion to the nature, the history, the mmonuments and the trails of Mt Menalon is the digital guide Mt Menalon topoguide.

Mt Menalon topoguide is available for Android devices as one of the dozens of available region of Greece via the topoguide Greece application. Mt Menalon is a member of the Peloponnese group. Get the Mt Menalon guide as an in-app purchase through the app.

Mt Menalon topoguide is also available for iOS (iPhone & iPad) devices via the application Topoguide Greece. Get the Mt Menalon guide as an in-app purchase through the app, found in the Peloponnese group.

topoguide Greece offers active navigation along the trails, as well as a comprehensive guide to the geography, the nature and the culture of the area.