Zitsa – Printmaking, Folklore and Winegrowing

Zitsa brings together the printmaking collection at the art gallery, the folklore museum, the region’s winegrowing and the hill above the village. These offer different starting points when planning a stay: art, local everyday culture, wine production and landscape.

Printmaking, the Collection and Workshops

The Zitsa Art Gallery of Printmaking presents a permanent exhibition of 500 works of Greek printmaking. The works span the late 19th century to the present day. A separate library room complements the collection: it contains more than 1,600 titles on art theory and art criticism, history, archaeology and folklore, as well as exhibition catalogues and rare art journals. The gallery thus brings together graphic works and art-related, historical and folkloric themes.

The art gallery also includes a printmaking workshop used as a museum space, and a fully equipped ceramics workshop for learning the art of ceramics. The printmaking workshop has the tools needed to produce a print. This brings together two distinct craft specialities: printmaking and the practice of ceramic art.

Winegrowing and Regional Produce

The Wine Pavilion provides information about the region’s winegrowing zone and showcases well-known wines and spirits produced at the region’s wineries from the local Ντεμπίνα grape variety. Production is also part of the story: using digital interactive glasses, visitors can explore the region’s vineyards, wineries and distilleries, as well as follow the production of wine and the distillation of tsipouro. The presentation connects regional produce with how it is made and the places where wine and spirits are produced.

The Wine Pavilion is located on the central square of the Zitsa community. Its building is designed with shaped wooden slats arranged side by side and metal rings that imitate the structure of a barrel. The design reflects the theme of winegrowing in the pavilion’s architecture and makes it recognisable beyond its informational role.

Folklore and Landscape

The folklore museum preserves old objects and traditional costumes that evoke the everyday lives of earlier generations. Its focus on everyday life and traditional clothing sets it apart from the artistic and winegrowing themes of the other venues. The museum is located near the Church of Agios Nikolaos.

Above Zitsa, the Monastery of Prophet Elias stands on a hill 780 metres high. The hill was once covered with mighty, centuries-old oak trees; some of these trees still survive today. The landscape thus reflects both the memory of the former oak woodland and the ancient trees that remain.

Different Highlights for Your Stay

If you are interested in art, the art gallery offers several facets through its collection spanning a wide period, its library and its two workshops. The Wine Pavilion, by contrast, focuses on regional produce and its production. The folklore museum and the hill with the monastery add everyday culture and landscape to these themes. These differences can help you choose what to focus on during your stay in Zitsa.

Discover more destinations: Dikorifo, Paliochori, Dodoni, Eleousa, Pramanta, Elati, Delvinaki, Platania.

For the broader travel overview: Ioannina.