THE SITE

The project takes place in the village of Kipoi, located in the mountainous region of Zagori in Epirus, north-western Greece. Zagori is known for its exceptional cultural landscape shaped through centuries of interaction between human communities and a demanding natural environment. The region comprises forty-six traditional villages historically organised in an interconnected network of settlements linked by paths, bridges, terraces, and small-scale infrastructure adapted to the rugged terrain. In recognition of this unique combination of vernacular architecture, historic mobility networks, and land-use systems integrated into a mountainous landscape, the region has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 under the official designation Zagori Cultural Landscape, acknowledging the long-standing interaction between human activity and the natural environment that has shaped this distinctive mountain territory.

In addition to its recognition as a cultural landscape of outstanding heritage value, the region is also characterised by exceptional geological features that have played a decisive role in shaping settlement patterns and historic infrastructure. The region is part of the Vikos–Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark, an internationally recognised territory of geological importance in which natural formations, river systems, ecosystems, and human settlement patterns together form a landscape of outstanding scientific and cultural value. The deep gorges, seasonal streams, and steep slopes of the area have strongly influenced the development of settlement structures and infrastructure, requiring the creation of carefully adapted architectural and engineering solutions that characterise the Zagori cultural landscape.

Among the most characteristic elements of this landscape is the dense network of traditional stone bridges, constructed mainly between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in order to connect villages, agricultural areas, pastures, and seasonal routes. These bridges formed essential components of a wider system of paths, water-management structures, and rural infrastructure that enabled communication and economic activity across the mountainous terrain. Built of local limestone using traditional dry-stone and lime-based masonry techniques, the bridges demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship developed by specialised master builders who combined empirical knowledge with a precise understanding of stone construction, hydrology, and landscape morphology. Beyond their architectural value, the bridges also represent an important element of the region’s intangible heritage, reflecting historic patterns of mobility, trade, and social interaction.

The village of Kipoi is particularly well known for the concentration of historic stone bridges in its surroundings, which form part of an extensive network of paths crossing the valleys and streams of the Vikaki gorge area. Within this network, two bridges focal to this project exemplify different types and scales of traditional construction, illustrating the diversity of historic infrastructure that characterises the Zagori cultural landscape.

The Mylos Bridge, located near the village of Kipoi and crossing the Bagiotiko stream, a tributary within the wider Aoos river basin, is one of the most prominent examples of the region’s bridge-building tradition. According to a historical inscription formerly placed above its central pier, the bridge was constructed in 1748. It is a three-arched stone bridge with two main arches of approximately nine metres span each and a smaller auxiliary arch of approximately three metres. With a total length of about fifty metres and a width of approximately two metres, the bridge represents a substantial construction designed to ensure reliable crossing of the stream under varying seasonal conditions. The bridge historically formed part of the route linking Kipoi with cultivated lands in the surrounding area and further with the villages of Elati and the town of Ioannina. Its name, meaning “mill”, refers to a nearby ecclesiastical watermill which still survives in partially restored condition. The bridge has been officially designated as a protected historic monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture since 1982 and today remains integrated into the traditional footpath network and the cultural landscape of the region.

In contrast to the large scale of the Mylos Bridge, the Lazaridi Mill Bridge represents a smaller but equally characteristic example of local stone construction. The bridge is situated within the Vikaki gorge near Kipoi and crosses a small stream descending from the area of Koukouli. It consists of a single arch with a span of approximately 2.8 metres, a deck length of about 8.7 metres, and a width of approximately 2.6 metres. Historically, the bridge served both as a pedestrian crossing along the traditional path connecting the villages of Kipi and Kapesovo and as part of the infrastructure associated with a nearby watermill located downstream. On its downstream side, the bridge originally incorporated a channel directing water towards the mill, which has since collapsed. The bridge takes its name from the Lazaridis watermill, acquired in the late nineteenth century by Lazaridis family from the village of Koukouli, who operated it until around the middle of the twentieth century. Together, the two bridges illustrate the wide range of construction types found in Zagori, from small functional crossings integrated into local path networks to larger multi-arched structures serving important regional routes.

Today, many of the historic bridges of Zagori remain in use as pedestrian crossings and as landmarks of local identity, yet they face gradual deterioration caused by vegetation growth, loss of mortar, displacement of stones, and insufficient drainage conditions. Although most structures are still standing, visible vulnerabilities threaten their long-term preservation, making careful maintenance and small-scale conservation interventions necessary in order to prevent more extensive damage.

 

THE PROJECT

The European Heritage Volunteers Project in Zagori will focus on the conservation and maintenance of selected historic stone bridges located in the village of Kipoi and within its surrounding cultural landscape in the Municipality of Zagori, Epirus, Greece.

The project is carried out in cooperation with EcoMuseum Zagori, a community-based heritage organisation dedicated to the documentation, interpretation, and preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the Zagori region. Through educational programmes, participatory activities, and cooperation with local authorities, the organisation promotes an integrated understanding of the cultural landscape as a living system shaped by historical, social, and environmental processes.

The practical work will concentrate on hands-on conservation and maintenance interventions on two selected traditional stone bridges, the Mylos Bridge and the Lazaridi Mill Bridge. The selected bridges, due to their accessibility, their documented historical significance, and the existence of prior technical studies, offer suitable conditions for carefully guided conservation activities within an educational framework. Their location within a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape and a UNESCO Global Geopark provides an authentic context in which practical conservation work can be directly connected with broader questions of landscape preservation, traditional craftsmanship, and the sustainable management of cultural heritage.

The activities will focus primarily on the stabilisation and repair of masonry structures, the removal of vegetation affecting the fabric of the bridges, and the improvement of drainage conditions around the structures. Following an initial phase of familiarisation, documentation, and identification of intervention areas, the works will address different conservation needs on the selected bridges.

The interventions will include the careful cleaning of masonry surfaces and joints, the removal of plants and roots causing structural damage, the reinstallation and stabilisation of displaced stones, and small-scale repointing using compatible traditional lime-based mortars. Particular attention will be given to the rehabilitation of water-flow and drainage conditions around the abutments and foundations, as the correct management of water is essential for the long-term stability of historic stone bridges. Additional environmental works, such as minor shaping of the terrain around the structures and the clearing of blocked drainage routes, will be carried out where necessary.

Participants will work in small rotating teams focusing on different aspects of the conservation process, including documentation, cleaning, masonry repair, and environmental maintenance. This rotation will ensure that all participants gain experience in the full range of activities and develop a comprehensive understanding of the conservation process. All works will be carried out using hand tools compatible with traditional stone masonry techniques and in accordance with established conservation principles.

The practical activities will be supervised by a local craftsperson specialised in traditional stone construction in the Epirus region, with proven experience in repointing, localised masonry repair, and site-sensitive interventions on historic structures.

The educational programme accompanying the practical work will introduce participants to the cultural landscape of Zagori and its outstanding tradition of stone construction, which includes bridges, pathways, dry-stone walls, and other elements of historic infrastructure closely connected to the natural environment. On-site discussions will address the historical development of the region, traditional building techniques of Epirus, and current challenges related to the conservation of vernacular architecture and historic mobility networks. Guided visits to heritage sites in the wider region will provide a broader understanding of the role of stone bridges and other structures within the cultural landscape of Zagori. Through these activities, participants will gain insight into the relationship between landscape, traditional craftsmanship, and heritage conservation in a living cultural environment.

An integral element of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations. Each participant is required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to the thematic focus of the activities on site, introducing a case study from their country of origin. This component connects the practical work undertaken during the programme with comparable heritage practices in different cultural and institutional contexts. Through this structured exchange, participants reflect on conservation approaches, management frameworks, and current challenges, contributing to a broader comparative understanding of heritage preservation. The presentations are intended to encourage critical dialogue, intercultural exchange, and the articulation of informed professional perspectives within an international group of emerging heritage practitioners.

 

The project will take place from September 27th to October 10th, 2026, and is organised by European Heritage Volunteers and the EcoMuseum Zagori, in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture – Service of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of Epirus – Northern Ionian Islands – Western Macedonia and the Municipality of Zagori.