Pelion-Velos
Pelion, the land of the legendary Centaurs, the site chosen by the Gods for their weddings and celebrations is located northeast of Volos. It was here that the first beauty contest took place between Thetis and Eris that as legend has it lead to the Trojan War. Pelion was an inspiration for some of the most famous artists of the time including Pindar, Homer and Euripides.
The area has its own distinct traditional architecture with narrow windows, decorated walls, stone stairways and roofs of grey or green slate. Pelion’s picturesque villages include:
· Makrinitsa 17 kms from the main city of Volos, built amphitheatrically up the side of the mountain and have splendid views of the Pagasitic Gulf.
· Hania 26 km from Volos is one of the premier skiing resorts of Greece with an altitude of 1200 metres.
· Zagora 47 km from Volos is Pelion’s largest village with fantastic uninterrupted views of the Aegean. It was at the local school that the spiritual fathers of the Greek Revolution studied and the historic library were a number of rare books and manuscripts are displayed.
Volos, is one of the five designated Olympic cities for 2004 and the capital city of the prefecture of Magnisia. It is situated in the heart of Greece, at an equal distance from Athens and Thessaloniki built in the mid-19th century overlooking the Pagasitikos Gulf and at the foothills of the Pelion mountain range. Volos has mountains and seashores giving it a magical atmosphere.
Today Volos is a modern city with a significant economic activity and cultural life. The economy is based mostly on manufacture and tourism. As the third biggest port in Greece, it is one of the most important financial centres in the country. It is a lively town and its waterfront is famous for its “tsipouradika” small taverns serving the local ouzo and mezedes (snacks).
In view of the 2004 Olympic Games, the redevelopment of Volos includes a number of projects aimed at the aesthetic improvement and functionality of the city. Transport network developments are under construction including the road linking the Main Sports Centre with the Larissa-Kravsidona motorway; bridge over the Kravsidona River and the modernisation of the city’s transport network. The most important being the renovation of the Nea Agchialos airport.
|
|
Discover Greece
My Event Planner
Why Greece?
