At the slopes of Pelion,
this devine shadowy mountain, Makrinitsa is resting sluggishly. It's a major village
well known for its panoramic view to Pagasitikos
Gulf and Volos,
its unique architectural features, its magnificent mansions and houses, its churches,
water fountains and paths. Makrinitsa was built between 1204 and 1215 by the Byzantine
family of Malliasinon.
This small settlement, that appeared in the first centuries of Turkish
ryle, developed economic activities in both the Balkans and Europe by cultivating
silkworms and working out leather. In 1878, Makrinitsa plays a leading role in
the Revolution against the Turks. At the same time, Margarita Basdeki - chief
of troops - excels for her courage in fight. After the liberation from the Turks,
Makrinitsa turns to be the largest municipality in the area in extent, population
and activities. By the end of the 2nd World war Makrinitsa's rural character changes
thanks to tourism that opened new horizons for its inhabitants.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
Theofilos Hajimichael was born round 1868 in Varia
in Mitilini. Travelling in search of a job reaches Volo and Pelion
in about 1899 where he stays for 30 years. Theofilos paints in the town of Volos,
mainly in cafenia1, taverns, inns and in the villages round Volos
in mansions, churches and shops.
In Makrinitsa he paints in a cafenio2 named after
him and is dated since 1910. In the eastern wall on the right of the entrance
of the cafenio, there is a fresco-painting with dimensions 3,15x2,50m with a theme
of Katsadoni in Joumerka.
The painting represents a feast of Katsadoni with his brave men in a mountainous
landscape.
1-2 : Cafenia - Cafenio (Small cafeteria)
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
A region characterized for its unique natural beauty is "Brani", the square in the entrance of the settlement with the stream, as well as the central square of the village Known as "Pazari" with its water fountain, "the lions", the longed lived platans, the church of S. John, the the amazing view to Volos. Of great beauty is the stream "Mega Rema" at the beginning of the river Krafsidona. In the altitude of Koukourava's neighborhood there are water mills (dristeles), tanneries that flourished in the 19th century and operated until the World War 2.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
The stone built arched bridges in Lestani, in Lziniko, in Alvezi, in Kakona and the bridge in Karia are remarkable spesimens of Traditional Architecture.
The water fountains surpass fifty in number all over Makrinitsa and supplement the town's planning equipment. Many of them are richly decorated with some stone curves.
Makrinitsa reached its peak in 18th and 19th century, when in 1881 became the center of its ex-municipality. Its town-planning organisation is based on a fundamental powed street called "back bone",that starts from Koukourava (in 300m altitude) and goes up to Kakouna (800m). A second cobbled path network leads to the very last house of the most widthdrawn neighborhood. In the center of the village the big flagged square in altitude of 630 m, is shadowed by enormous long-lived platans, adorned with a unique water fountain (1809) decorated with rich stone sculptures. Dated since the 18th and 19th century, the majority are three-floored, stone built in their biggest part, apart from sections of the last floor that are more lightly constructed (tsatma). They have a fortress shaping with few and armored windows in the basement, that multiply in the upper floors. They have loopholes, gates, bars, scalders and defensive small towers. The ground plan is shaped depending on the needs of the family and the weather conditions. The basement was used for the yearly food storage. The middle floor with the many fire places was for the family's winter stay and the floor with the glory the kiosk and the "Lounge" for the summer stay. Such mansions are preserved in Makrinitsa like Vaigi Koukourava (1761), Hajikostas, Topalis, Tsibouki, Xiradaki, Mousli, Mavrou and many more .
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
To the west of the side of the square lies Agios Ioannis temple (1806)
with rich stone curved decoration that composes the most unique work of art in
the after Byzantine Architecture. For more eastern from the central square, there
is the church of the Blessed Panagias, the village's cathedral church, built in
1767 and decorated with rich stone curves, as well, part of wich belongs to the
old Byzantine convent of Oxias Episkepseos that Konstantine Malliasinos built
in 1204. In the enclosure of the church there are the temples of Agion Padon and
Agios Nikolaos. The Bishop's throne has been registrated in 1743, by after Byzantine
frescoes.
Other churches are Agiou Athanasiou in 1792, Agiou Georgiou, Metamorfosis
in 1797, Agias Triadas that was decorated by the folk painter Pagoni, the monastery
of Agiou Gerasimou in 1792 and finaly the impressive temple of Agia Magdalini
in Koukourava in 1802.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
The unique dance-mimicking folklore custom of "Maedon" with roots in Dionysic
worship, refered to the revival of nature and life and is revived every year in
summer from the village's young people.
Makrinitsa's touristic development begins in the 1960's, when its residents realise that they have to maintain their characters, to propose their particularities, their customs and traditions. Their worries find a way out with the establishment of the "Progressive Association of Makrinitsa", with the revival of the unique folklore tradition "Maedes" and the erection of the Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion. This great cultural intervention led the community at the beginning of 1990's to the organization of cultural events that were established and their fame was spread all aver Greece. Since 1991 and every summer from 15th july until 30th september, cultural events named "Makrinitsa" are organized by the community with painting, photography and sculpture exhibitions, theatrical music and Greek song concerts and at the peak, the presentation of the folklore tradition "Maedes".
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
Tel: +30 24280 99140, 99150
Fax: +30 24280 99140
Receive our daily Newsletter with all the latest updates on the Greek Travel industry.
Subscribe now!
