Listed 33 sub titles with search on: Sights for wider area of: "MAGNESSIA Prefecture THESSALIA" .
KERASSIA (Village) RIGAS FERAIOS
In the centre of the village of Kerassia a stone-built bridge is situated,
which is joining the two parts of the village on the banks of Kerassiotis river.
It consists of two unequal arches constructed with nicely worked grey-green schist
stones reiforced with metal joints. The surface of the road has strong inclination
and is covered with a stone path approximately 3,00 m large. It was built in 1886.
In 1988 it was characterized as a preserved historical monument. Repairing
works took place on the bridge in 1993.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
MAKRINITSA (Village) VOLOS
The stone built arched bridges in Lestani, in Lziniko, in Alvezi, in Kakona and the bridge in Karia are remarkable spesimens of Traditional Architecture.
ALI MERIA (Village) VOLOS
This is a ground building made of stone, of a rectangular plan, 9x12
m. in dimention and consists of only one room. Its roof is wooden and covered
with tiles of the "byzantine" type as well as with a circumferent zone of schist
slabs. On the parts of the walls between the big windows the famous folk painter
Theofhilos Chatzimichael has painted nine wall paintings -eight on the inside
walls and one on the main front of the building.
It was built in 1897. It was used as a bakery and stopped funcioning
as one in 1950. The decoration by Theophilos was done in 1910.
The building went through conservation works in 1986. The wall structure
was reinforced, the roof was replaced, the plasters were repaired and there was
colour added to the building.
The building consists a storage-auxiliary room of the house-next-door.
Today it belongs to the family of Stavros Melinis.
In 1965 it was characterized as a Work of Art and Historical Preserved
Monument.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
PORTARIA (Village) VOLOS
At the center of Portaria dominates the renowned «Theoxenia», the
most luxurious hotel in the Balkans of the prewar era, which before it was ruined
during second world war, accomodated many celebrities of that period. Nowadays
the municipality organizes cultural activities at «Theoxenia», the garden of which
is about to be transformed into a small open theatre.
The hotel «Theoxenia» opened in the year 1905. It was built in three
years by the engineer M. Argiris. Mr K. Athanasakis (the owner) wanted to build
an exceptional hotel in the region of the Balkans, which would accomodate in the
beautiful villages of Pelion and Portaria mainly businessmen and celebrities from
Greece and the Near East, with whom he was aquainted through his business transactions
in Egypt.
In fact the hotel «Theoxenia» functioned on new methods of accomodation
with a very high standard of comfort. The 25 rooms offered luxuries and comforts
which were unique for that era. On the ground floor was situated the restaurant
and the large reception hall where evening parties, accompanied by the «harpsichord»
were held almost every night during the summer. The front of the hotel had a spacious
garden with alleys along which the guests, but also distinguished residents of
Portaria would often take their walk. In the back there was a tennis court and
a small fountain where the children could play, and this was also the starting
point for excursions on horseback to the summit of Pelion.
The hotel «Theoxenia» was one of the reasons that Portaria developed
tourism, especially after the royal decree of 1920 which qualified the area as
a place of exceptional natural beauty, together with Kifissia and Hydra. Amongst
the famous groups which met every summer at «Theoxenia» a distinguished place
belongs to the «circle of the mountain» who were mainly writers and poets.
The hotel's history continues until 1940 when it was requisitioned
by the Italian command and use as military headquarters. The last blow was in
August 1944 when Portaria was bombed and many mansions were burned down. Amongst
these was «Theoxenia». Today the ruined walls covered with ivy offer to the visitor
an idea of its past splendour.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Municipality of Portaria URL below, which contains images
TRIKERI (Port) SOUTH PELION
TSAGARADA (Village) ZAGORA-MOURESI
Tel: +30 24230 49238
It concerns a representative examble of neoclassical architecture
as it was formed in the area of Pelion in the beginning of the century. It is
stone-built with a clear stone structure, a central two-storie-building and two
ground extentions on the side. Its wooden roof is covered with schist slabs coming
from the area nearly. The impressive bulk of the building, the physical colours
of its material structure and its carefully constructed details are forming a
harmonic group with the physical environment of Mount Pelion.
It was built in 1909 with the kind offer of Nikolaos Nanopoulos and
it initially functionned as an Economic School.
Repairs of the
building took place in 1993.
On the first floor is situated the Primary School of the village.
In 1985 it was characterized as a Work of Art by the Ministry of Culture.
SKIATHOS (Island) NORTH SPORADES
Around the middle of the 14th century, because of the continuous pirate
raids, the people of Skiathos were forced to set up their city in Kastro, a peninsula
on the northern part of the Island, which was a natural fortress. In order to
strengthen this fortress they surrounded it with walls full of embrasures and
cannons tumed to the land. These were very strong and tall. Communication between
the fortress and the land was done by means of a wooden mobile bridge, which joined
the fortress gate with the hill that faced it. In case of emergency it was pulled
towards the inside part of Kastro and as a result it did not allow enemies to
enter. On top of the external gate there was a terrace with the essential "zematistra",
(a skillet full of hot water to scald intruders).
From the time it was built until 1453, Kastro was under Byzantine
rule. Later, until 1538 it was under Venetian rule and until 1821 it was under
Turkish rule. For a small period around 1660, Kastro went again under Venetian
rule. Throughout these years the life of the people was very difficult and at
times even hellish since apart from the continuous pirate raids and the aspiring
conquerors, the people had to face the problem of limited space in the inside
of the castle fortress. Therefore, the houses were small and built very close
to each other. Despite this, in Kastro there were more than twenty churches, a
mosque without a minaret from the time of the Turkish accupation, and the required
water tanks. The Cametary was located outside the city.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains images.
SKIATHOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
Bourtzi is a small peninsula which separates the port of Skiathos
in two. In the past it was a fort, which was established by the Gizi brothers
who occupied Skiathos in 1207. It was surrounded by walls battlements and embrasures
and on the left and right of the gate there were two round towers. It is not possible
to determine the height of the walls by the present ruins. Moreover, in the fort
there was a tank and a small church called Agios Georgios, protector of the Venetians,
probably built by the Gizi brothers. Because of that church, Bourtzi was also
called "Kastelli tou Agiou Georgiou - Castle of St. George". The fort was destroyed
in 1660 when the admiral Fransesco Morozini occupied the island In 1823 though
the ruined embrasures, the island inhabitans - both Skiathans and refugees - managed
to repulse Topal - pasha.
After the liberation, the first lazaret of the island operated in
Bourtzi. In 1906 a primary school was built in the centre of the peninsula, donated
by Andreas Syngros. In the entrance of that school since 1925 there has been the
bust of Alexandros Papadiamantis. Nowadays, Bourtzi is really a rare recreation
place. It is full of pine trees, always with fresh, cool air and with a magnificent
view. There are few ruins of the old fort and we can see, on the left and right
of the street leading to the entrance of the old school, the sites of the church
of Agios Georgios and of the fort tank.
The old primary school has been converted into a picturesque cultural
centre, with the initiative of the present municipal authorities. In it, there
are practical conference rooms in good taste and a faboulous summer theatre which
hosts successful theatrical and musical performances every summer. Moreover, in
Bourtzi there is a municipal cafe where special nights are held. These fit in
with the ambience of the small, full of green peninsula.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains images.
SKOPELOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
AGIOS LAVRENTIOS (Village) VOLOS
KISSOS (Village) ZAGORA-MOURESI
MAKRINITSA (Village) VOLOS
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.
STAGIATES (Village) VOLOS
One more reason for Stagiates to be proud is the abundance of water. A traditional
fountain is situated in the central square. This fountain was built during the
Turkish occupation and has a stone slab with an engraving made by a Turk, who
stated that his sick wife was healed by the crystal water.
SKIATHOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
The house where Alexandros Papadiamantis was born on 4th March 1851
does not exist today. It was sold and the new owners put it down. Papadiamantis
grew up and died in the new house his father built in 1860, as it is said on a
built-in inscription on one of its walls. This house is located about 100 metres
inland from the eastern coast of the city, in a narrow street which is a dead-end.
It could be said that it is a sidestreet of the present Papadiamanti street. It
has two levels with the upper floor (anogi) and the lower floor (katogi). The
lower floor is made up of three rooms and a small oblong entrance which leads
to these three rooms. On the left, as we enter, there is the winter room with
its historical fireplace. This is where Papadiamantis lived his last moments.
On the fireplace there were two shelves where all the cups of the house were.
The smallest room on the right was in the begining a priest's room
where Adamantios, Alexandros' father, kept his books and his vestments. Later
it belonged to Alexandros and he used it as a bedroom and a study. It was absolutely
like a monastery cell with a window, a built-in cupboard and his narrow and small
bed. Right opposite the entrance, there is the living-room of the house with a
coloured diamond-shaped design on the ceiling as the only decoration. The house
is generally a simple, austere island house. Today the old entrance of the house
which is on the western side is closed. The entrance side and the visitors enter
the house - museum through external wooden stairs.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains images.
ALI MERIA (Village) VOLOS
The road uphill which leads to Volos, passes through the central cobbled
square, with a wonderful view and a century old plane tree. On the one side is
the church of Aghios Athanasios with exceptional grounds and a marble fountain
with crystal clear water. Walking through the cobbled streets of the village you
reach Velentzas bakery where you can admire the nine famous mural paintings by
the popular artist Theofilos, who passed several years of his life in this area
at the beginning of the century.
Further on is the imposing Chatziargiris mansion, enclosed by a high
stone wall and Galiagra Goudelia an old oil press that has been preserved in its
original form. Continuing your exploration you will reach the chapels of Aghios
Ioannis, Taxiarches and Aghioi Apostoloi. You can admire the marvelous landscape
around Aghioi Apostoloi with century old plane trees which cover the whole village,
the renowned plane tree forest on the banks of Anavros, the pine-covered hill
of Aghios Ioannis (Toumba) where the municipality has planned the landscape aesthetically
so as the visitor can relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere near the stone fountain.
You will be impressed by the variety of flowers which are cultivated
in contemporary floricultural gardens. You must certainly try the delicious cooking
which is served in the taverns and quench your thirst at the traditional municipal
fountains which offer abundant running water.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Municipality of Portaria URL below, which contains images
PORTARIA (Municipal unit) VOLOS
PORTARIA (Village) VOLOS
•"Pigi Manas" (a paved square and a pavilion to rest among the planes and
the waters).
•"Karavos" Waterfall (a small natural waterfall, where the visitor has the
opportunity of spending moments of relaxation and view Portaria from aloft).
•Square "Adamenas" (ideal place for relaxation and recreation, starting
point of the "Centaurs' path" that leads to "Pigi Manas").
•Central Square "Melina Merkouri" (surrounded by hotels and taverns; here
most cultural activities take place). •Square "Taxiarchon" (the visitor
can enter the stone chapel and enjoy the magnificent view over Volos
and Pagassitikos' gulf).
Monuments
•Athanassakio Kindergarten (one of the first in Greece).
•Zoulia Mansion (which operated as a Vocational School for girls, today
it is a museum).
•Tsopotio School (nowadays, the elementary school).
•Theoxenia (ruins of the most luxurious hotel in the Balkans of the prewar
era, which operated since 1905).
•Panaghia Portarea (Byzantine chapel of the 11th century, what is left from
the old monastery, around which Portaria was built; according to certain sources,
Portaria took its name from this chapel).
•Panaghitsa - Aghios Symeon (small church of archaeological importance,
recently restored).
•Panaghia Odighitria (monastery with 40 nuns).
Restored Mansions
Athanassaki, Despotiko, Katartzi, Naoumidi, Hatziargiri
Fountains
The word Pelion brings to mind endless expanses of green pasture and
clear, crystalline water. This life giving element actually leaves the visitor
ecstatic. The mind and the eyes relax completely, in any part of this area. As
a result there are many fountains on this mountain.
All over Portaria the visitor may see fountains and springs, simple
or decorated, some with arches, scattered on the main road or in the narrow cobbled
streets.
Reaching the Municipality of Portaria, in front of the low wall, is
the stone fountain which was made in 1965. This fountain is not new, but was transported
from the courtyard of Lambrini Dobas house, where it was built in 1861. In the
ground of the Town Hall there is yet another exquisite example , made from Propan
stones. Further on in the parking area, one more stone fountain. Here the visitor
can stop in peace, far from the traffic, to taste the cool water, while he appreciates
the sight. Another fountain is near Aghios Nikolaos above the national road this
is whitewashed and decorated with small red tiles.
Going uphill towards Karavos, just before reaching the Devriades pension,
the mayor Vassilis Kontorizos built two together, exactly beneath the playground.
One more small fountain can be seen at the end of the cobbled street in front
of his parental home. Procceding towards the Red Cross, just as you pass the hotel
«Portaria», under the big plane tree is one more stone fountain. On the other
side, from the Provinical road from Portaria to Makrinitsa
is Adamenas fountain. The unique water is from its own spring. Under the plane
trees in the ravine, meeting place of many residents of Volos, who come to get
water- an excuse I believe- mainly to enjoy the unforgettable landscape. The beauty,
the fresh, cool air, the view.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Municipality of Portaria URL below, which contains images
ZAGORA (Municipal unit) MAGNESSIA
KATOCHORI (Village) VOLOS
One of the traditional monuments is the Municipal Oil press which has been made
into a museum, preserving the traditional way of functioning with all the machinery
which was used from the 19th century.
KECHRIA (Beach) SKIATHOS
Tel: +30 24270 23333
Fax: +30 24270 23333
The church of Panagia lies in a lush green valley full of olive and pine trees overlooking the beautiful beach of Kechria. From here begins the uphill path that crosses ravines with old mills and ferns to reach the monastery of Kechria. The monastery, dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin Mary, was founded in the 16th century. Today, all that remains of the erstwhile monastic complex is the katholikon, richly decorated with frescoes on its interior walls. In its preserved form, the church dates back to the 18th century.
PORTARIA (Village) VOLOS
The chapel is a single space with a wooden roof, and was built in
the 16th century on the byzantine cloister of Panaghia Portarea.
The restoration work which was effected in recent years on the monument
showed that part of the low walls from the initial byzantine chapel on the north,
south and east side have been preserved, which have the same dimensions as the
chapel of the 16th century. This small monastery, as we are informed from relative
sources, was older than the monastery of Prodromos Nea Petra, to which it belonged
after its foundation. Most probably it was built during the first half of the
13th century.
The chapel contains 16th century murals.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Municipality of Portaria URL below, which contains image
SKOPELOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
MAKRINITSA (Village) VOLOS
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
ANO LECHONIA (Small town) VOLOS
MILIES (Small town) SOUTH PELION
Receive our daily Newsletter with all the latest updates on the Greek Travel industry.
Subscribe now!