26 Feb
This honorary title was used by Eleftherios Venizelos during his visit to Pelion in 1934 for Makrinitsa (Makrynitsa), one of the most popular and most beautiful villages of Pelion. The natural beauty of the landscape, the excellently preserved Pelion architecture, the enchanting goddess from the square and the short distance from Volos, have made Makrinitsa (Makrynitsa) one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pelion throughout the year.
Route to Makrinitsa
To get to Makrinitsa from either Athens or Thessaloniki, take the Volos-Velestino National Road exit and shortly before entering Volos you will see a sign that says Portaria. You will find yourself on the regional avenue of Volos and after passing the municipal stadium of the city, you will turn after a few kilometers for Ano Volos and Portaria. After reaching Portaria you have just two more kilometers to Makrinitsa.
The settlement of Makrinitsa
Makrinitsa, a preserved traditional settlement of absolute protection, is built almost vertically on a green slope of Pelion above Volos, which also explains the large height difference from the first houses of the village in the district of Koukourava to the highest ones.
On the cobblestone streets of Makrinitsa
The communication between the settlements of Makrinitsa was done with a well-made cobblestone that is preserved in excellent condition even today. Walk from the main square to the church of Panagia and see the cobbled cobblestones of Makrinitsa with the wedged stones that, to facilitate walking within the walking distance of an average man, protrude for better grip when it rains or when there is snow and ice.
Makrinitsa Square
The attraction of Makrinitsa is the so-called balcony of the village, which is none other than the large square with plane trees. Some of the quite a few attractions or points of interest in Makrinitsa square are the following:
Of course the panoramic view of Volos and Pagasitikos gulf
The Church of John the Baptist,
The marble fountain with the four bronze lion heads and the immortal water as well as
The Theophilos cafe, where you will see the large mural by the famous Greek painter Theophilos Hatzimichael from 1910, entitled “Battle at the Cold Faucet”. (see the photo of Theofilos mural inside the traditional cafe in Makrinitsa square, in the photos below.)
Sights in Makrinitsa
Briefly, some of the attractions, in addition to those mentioned above in the central square and which are worth visiting and seeing during your stay in Makrinitsa, are the following:
- The tower of Skoteiniotis, in the district of Koukourava
- The Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion in the Topali mansion, a few meters below the main square.
- Byzantine Museum of Makrinitsa
