Metsovo is a mountainous, beautiful town with strong traditional characteristics in the Ioannina Prefecture, at an altitude of 1,150 m. It is located at the eastern edge of the prefecture, near the borders with the Trikala Prefecture, on the northern slopes, between the mountains of the largest mountain range in Greece, the Pindos.

From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, Metsovo is mainly referred to in literary sources with the linguistic form "Metzovo", but also with the more literary name "Messovon".

The etymology of the name "Metsovo" as a nickname comes from the words Mitsos, Mesovounon or from the Slavic word Mecovo "bear habitat". According to other scholars and historians, it is supported that the etymological relationship between the Vlach form Mindzu and the Greek form Metsovo is established in the name, which consists of the theme Mets and the Slavic ending -ovo.

The region of Metsovo was, during ancient and medieval times, the main passage for communication between Epirus and Thessaly. Thus, it was an area of great military and commercial importance. In the 15th century, Metsovo fell under Ottoman rule and became part of the Sanjak of Ioannina. Throughout the later period of Ottoman rule (18th century to 1913), the Greek and Vlach population of the region (Northern Pindos) suffered from Albanian raids.