MAKRINITSA - Drink from the "Immortal Water"! It is, perhaps, the most impressive settlement of Pelion, as it stretches on the slope of the mountain, with the altitude difference from the lowest to the highest point reaching almost 500 meters! It is called the "balcony of Volos" since the view it offers towards the city is panoramic and unobstructed. Designated by Presidential Decree since 1980 as a "traditional settlement of absolute protection," Makrinitsa is ideal for endless walks in its traditional stone cobblestone streets. Image The original settlement was organized around the monastery of Theotokos Oxeias Episkepseos or Makrinitissis (no longer exists) in the early 13th century AD. It took its current form during the years of Turkish rule. It experienced great flourishing during the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to trade and tanning, while shortly before the entrance of the 20th century it numbered 5,000 inhabitants! Makrinitsa has been considered one of the most touristy villages in Greece since the 1960s. The mansions, the "tower houses," the 54 fountains, the willows, and the plane trees will enchant you. Start the exploration from the wonderful square, where you will find the church of Ai-Giannis Prodromou, the "Athanato Nero" (Immortal Water) fountain with the lion heads, and the relatively recent "acquisition" of the village (since 2018), the very beautiful and extremely interesting Byzantine Museum. Image Among the most impressive buildings are (further north) the Dormition of the Theotokos of 1767 and the Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion housed in the Topalis Mansion. Of particular interest are the Skoteiniotis Tower in Koukourava (the "lower district" of the village), the well-preserved bridge in Mega Rema, the ruined tanneries that operated until the late 1950s, and the old dristeles (water-powered grain mills) in the same area. RELEVANT TAGS TEST TAG TEST TAG 2
