Pelion: The Mountain of the Centaurs and the summer residence of the gods

Pelion in mythology was considered the Mountain of the Centaurs but also the summer residence of the gods. Today it is one of the most famous destinations for the whole year as it combines mountains and sea, while it is especially popular for winter excursionists. The picturesque villages of the area, the vegetation, the beaches, and the sights create enchanting landscapes that impress

 

Where to go: 

Tsagarada is one of the most famous destinations in Pelion. It is famous for the traditional stone houses that exist in the village, for the Church of Agia Paraskevi and for the square with the huge plane tree that is 1000 years old, where under its shade you can enjoy your coffee together with some local sweets.

Another destination to visit is Makrinitsa. A picturesque and busy village especially in the winter months. Eleftherios Venizelos had described Makrinitsa as the balcony of Pelion due to the panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf from the central square of the village. The central Square of Makrinitsa is adorned by the marble fountain with the four bronze lion heads and the immortal water as well as the Church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. In the cafe “Theofilos” you will see the large mural of the famous Greek painter Theofilos Hadjimichael from 1910 entitled “Battle in the Cold Fountain”.

If you are in Makrinitsa, do not forget to walk on the cobbled path from the main square to the church of Panagia, which is maintained in excellent condition until today

Another destination is Zagora. The largest village of Pelion spreads on a green slope and offers visitors a magical view of the Aegean Sea. The well-preserved mansions are there to remind visitors of the glory days of the area. The plane trees and the flowered courtyards offer peace to anyone who decides to take a walk in the village. In the square, you will find the Church of Agios Georgios but also the famous Library of Zagora that hides rare manuscripts.

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What to do:

The first thing a visitor should do is hiking. The landscapes and images that this magical location offers for exploration will accompany him forever. The churches that can be found in the villages of Pelion are of great interest to visitors, as they are very popular with those who do religious tourism.

Do not forget to visit the Folklore Museum housed in the mansion of D. Zoulias in Portaria, which has been declared a protected site by the Ministry of Culture.

If you are in Pelion, you should not miss the train route from Ano Lechonia to Milies. The journey takes 90 minutes and with a 15-minute stop at Ano Goutzea station. When you finally reach Milies you have 3.5 hours to walk on the traditional cobbled path that leads you to the center of the village with the folklore museum and the library while you can enjoy your food in the traditional taverns.

During the winter months, you can visit the ski resort for winter sports and entertainment.

What to taste:

In addition to the famous pastries of Pelion, you can try excellent local delicacies. 

One of them is the boubari which is very popular with the visitors of the taverns. This is a recipe with liver, rice, onion, and spices, which are made like a sausage and baked in the oven.

Another excellent “meze” is the Oregano meatballs, made from fresh spring oregano before it blooms, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians. 

Of course, the local sweets of the spoon and the walnut pie will impress you.