On the southwestern slopes of Mount Tymfi, built on a rock, is a wonderful “secluded” picturesque village, which is literally surrounded by the impressive gorge of Vikos.
With an altitude of 1340 meters, Vradeto is considered the highest village of Zagori, while the connection with the other villages is made by the only asphalt road that exists at the junction after the village of Kapesovo.
In fact, as if the visitor is in Kapesovo at the moment when it gets dark and looks up at Vradeto, he has the impression that the village is hovering in the middle of nowhere. It is that magical moment when the black color covers all the beauty of the gorge and makes it invisible to the eyes of the people.
Its name of Vlach origin means fir (brand), while due to its location it is considered the “balcony” of Zagori, offering everyone a more complete view of the gorge.
The inhabitants of the village consist of native Zagorians, while after 1930 the Sarakatsani (or Skenites because of the way they lived) entered it, who managed to coexist and be fed from the same place. And while the village was flourishing, the lack of transportation with the other villages forced the inhabitants to migrate to the big cities, resulting in the desolation.
Until the 70’s, the only connection with the “outside” world, was its famous staircase with 1100 cobbled stairs, which cover a fairly large altitude difference of about 250 meters.
This stone construction with a total length of 1200 meters on the north side of Mezaria, was the entrance and exit from the village and led to Kapesovo, while it took 20 whole years to complete. In fact, its construction dates back to the beginning of the 18th century.
It consists of three traffic lanes, one for animals which is marked with black stone and two with white for humans. Its width is properly calculated to avoid accidents mainly of animals, since they were loaded with an excessive volume of goods.
Since 1998 the staircase together with the two stone bridges between the villages, have been designated as historical monuments. And why not, after all, since it really is a wonderful work of art, a sample of local folk architecture, a witness of a bygone era where the survival and communication of the inhabitants were considered of utmost importance!
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