Publications
Heritage Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism in Mountain Cultural Landscapes: The Case of Zagori Within the UNESCO Framework
Heritage hospitality, driven by public policy incentives rather than market forces, has emerged as a key strategy for sustainable tourism and population resilience in mountain cultural landscapes. A study of Zagori, Greecereveals that targeted development policies, particularly those promoting small-scale, high-altitude enterprises, can mitigate population decline while preserving built heritage. Unlike spontaneous growth models, this approach fosters a micro-network of hotels that integrate local entrepreneurship with cultural conservation. Spatial and quantitative analysis of Zagori’s evolution from 1982 to 2022 demonstrates that diversified tourism infrastructure, when aligned with heritage preservation, sustains vitality in remote settlements. Conversely, policy gaps or overconcentration lead to stagnation, highlighting the need for adaptive reuse frameworks to balance conservation, development, and demographic outcomes.
Building insights : craft, collective care, and architectural theoria in an itinerant workshop
A resurgent interest in traditional crafts can enrich architectural theory by incorporating tacit knowledge—forms of understanding tied to bodily skill, practical experience, and cultural context. This study demonstrates how the Boulouki Itinerant Workshop's projects, focusing on reconstructing dry stone paths (kalderimia) and vernacular structures in remote Greek regions like Zagori and Therasia, bridge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary landscape care. By analyzing participatory engagements through reflective practice and thick description, the research reveals that such projects not only preserve cultural memory but also highlight more-than-human agency in architecture. The findings suggest that an architectural theory sensitive to tacit knowledge must integrate these dual discourses to deepen collective understanding.
Can Spirituality Save Centuries-Old Trees and Forests? A Study from the Mountains of Northwest Greece
Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) in Greece's Epirus region, including centuries-old trees and forests linked to churches or villages, demonstrate the potential of spirituality to drive conservation. These sites, protected by local beliefs that deter timber extraction, provide critical ecosystem services such as disaster mitigation, water resource conservation, and conflict resolution. A study highlights their multifunctional role in socio-ecological systems, with some SNS, like those in Zagori and Konitsa, gaining UNESCO recognition for their intangible cultural heritage value. The research suggests that deeper appreciation of spirituality could enhance nature protection efforts by integrating traditional values with modern conservation strategies.
Crafting crossroads in Zagori (north-west Greece): Ottoman-era archaeology through a workshop in vernacular architecture
A reconstructed nineteenth-century cobbled pathway in the village of Aristi, Zagori, offers new insights into Ottoman-era material culture and settlement archaeology. This small-scale restoration project demonstrates how integrating archaeological practices with vernacular architecture can deepen our understanding of historical landscapes without disrupting their lived experience. The study highlights the potential of such workshops to bridge gaps in Ottoman-era research, providing tangible evidence of past craftsmanship and settlement dynamics.
Des artistes sur tous les fronts. De la lutte environnementale au développement territorial : le pouvoir d’un festival en question (Vovousa, Zagori et Parc national du Pinde du Nord, Épire, Grèce)
A collective of artists in the village of Vovousa, Greece, has emerged as a powerful force in environmental advocacy and territorial development through their involvement in a festival. This creative movement, rooted in opposition to a large dam project on the Aoos River since 2013, revitalizes local influence by aligning with both ecological and touristic fronts while challenging existing energy policies. The study analyzes these dynamics across multiple scales, revealing how artistic engagement can reshape power structures in marginalized regions, particularly within weakened national parks like the North Pindus National Park. This approach offers a model for grassroots-led revitalization, blending cultural expression with strategic territorial claims.
Radioactivity studies in soils from Northwestern Greece
A recent study reveals that soil samples from the Zagori Cultural Landscape and nearby Pogoni area in Northwestern Greece exhibit varying levels of natural radioactivity, including isotopes like 40K, uranium (U), thorium (Th) series, and anthropogenic cesium-137 (137Cs). Using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors calibrated for bulk geometry, researchers measured specific activities to estimate absorbed dosage and external hazard index (Hex), following UNSCEAR models. This analysis contributes to assessing the environmental sustainability of this largely unexplored region. The findings provide critical data on baseline radioactivity levels, which could inform conservation efforts and risk assessments in UNESCO World Heritage Sites with similar geological characteristics.
Fragments from Ottoman Zagori: continuity and change in a montane landscape through a local perspective
A study of the Zagori Cultural Landscape (NW Greece) reveals that the peaceful integration of local elites into the Ottoman Empire led to significant changes in settlement patterns from the 15th to the 19th century. Initially, the Ottoman administration fragmented large decentralized settlements into smaller villages to accommodate both local elites and new timariots. Over time, this 'topography of division' shifted towards a 'topography of adaptation,' where local elites played a pivotal role in shaping settlement patterns and forming the administrative unit known as the Zagorisian League. The research combines imperial and local archival records, ethnographic studies, and landscape archaeology to uncover these transformations.
Pathways to Know and Sidetracks to Forget: Walking and the Montane Cultural Landscape of Zagori (Northwestern Greece)
Walking through Zagori's cultural landscape reveals distinct pathways of heritage interpretation, from historical travel accounts to modern archaeological surveys. This study highlights how different ways of engaging with the landscape—whether through dwelling, inhabiting, or gazing—shape our understanding and memory of place. By analyzing past and present walking practices, it uncovers contrasting attitudes toward heritage, illustrating a dynamic interplay between remembering and forgetting. The research employs a comparative approach, drawing on primary sources, contemporary interpretations, and field observations to elucidate the multifaceted nature of Zagori's montane cultural landscape.
A pointed falsework or a false decentering:
Research on the Tsipiani bridge, a unique single-arched stone bridge in Greece's Zagori region, reveals that its pointed arch is likely due to a 'false decentering' technique rather than traditional construction methods. The study proposes the use of 'stitching,' a reinforcement method for masonry structures, to address structural vulnerabilities and preserve the bridge's integrity. This approach aims to enhance resistance against compressive, shear, and tensile forces while connecting loose parts in the masonry. The findings challenge conventional assumptions about stone bridge construction and offer a practical solution for conservation efforts.
Participatory research, collecting and mapping
Participatory research emerges as a powerful tool for safeguarding intangible heritage, particularly in marginalized communities. This study demonstrates its efficacy through four case studies—Museum Rotterdam's volunteer-driven collection, Museum aan de Stroom's partnerships with local trackers and explorers, the Tūhoe Tuawhenua tribe's environmental conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand, and grassroots initiatives in Zagori and Konitsa, Greece. The research highlights how participatory methods, rooted in anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements, can bridge gaps between institutions and communities, fostering inclusive documentation of heritage. By integrating social science tools with heritage preservation, this approach not only enriches cultural inventories but also empowers local stakeholders, offering a model for UNESCO's intangible heritage safeguarding efforts.
Wer sagt eigentlich, dass Griechenland aus weißen Häusern und blauem Meer besteht?
This article challenges the stereotypical image of Greece, highlighting the diverse and lesser-known cultural landscapes beyond its iconic white houses and blue seas. It focuses on Zagori, a remote region in northern Greece, home to ancient stone bridges dating back to the 18th century and hidden villages with ongoing restoration efforts for their sacred murals. The research approach combines personal narrative with cultural observation, emphasizing Zagori's unique blend of natural beauty, architectural heritage, and local traditions. Through vivid storytelling, it reveals the region as a 'fund site' where history, artistry, and everyday life intersect, offering a fresh perspective on Greece's cultural richness.
Faidon Moudopoulos Athanasiou, Woodland Values in Zagori, NW Greece (19th–21st Century): Between Heritage and History
A study on the Zagori Cultural Landscape in NW Greece reveals a historical conflict between natural and cultural values in woodland management, shaped by top-down state policies from the late 19th century to the present. The research highlights how economic factors and legislative biases influenced the transition from communal management to centralized approaches, leading to polarization between ecological and heritage perspectives. This case study serves as valuable educational material for heritage professionals, offering insights into site valorization processes, stakeholder dynamics, and the interplay of history, economics, and policy in cultural landscapes. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these complexities for effective heritage conservation.
Prirodna obilježja Svilaje s pregledom istraživanja flore i vegetacije
Svilaja, a mountain in Dalmatian Zagora, boasts an exceptionally rich flora, including numerous endemic, endangered, and protected species. Among its notable plant life are Arenaria orbicularis, Astragalus monspessulanus ssp. illyricus, and various orchids such as Coeloglossum viride and Ophrys dinarica. Despite extensive field research since 2013 aimed at cataloging the region's vascular flora, precise counts remain challenging due to variations in study boundaries and imprecise locality data. The study highlights significant changes in vegetation driven by depopulation, reduced traditional agriculture, and frequent wildfires, underscoring the urgency for systematic flora investigations.
The Trees of the Sacred Natural Sites of Zagori, NW Greece
Sacred trees in Zagori, NW Greece, serve as enduring symbols of spirituality and local history, their sanctity often tied to proximity or connection with churches. These trees, distinguished by their size, longevity, and natural growth—protected by strong taboos against private use—reflect a deep cultural significance. Research reveals distinct associations between tree species and sacred site types: broadleaved oaks and maples are linked to outlying churches, plane trees dominate central squares near churches as focal points for community life, while cemeteries now feature planted conifers replacing native evergreens. Local communities perceive these trees as living elements of collective memory, underscoring their role in preserving cultural heritage.
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