Kokkinopilos equals “Checkpoint – Olympus”

Kokkinopilos (formerly known as “Kokkinoplos”) is a historic Vlach village of Olympus built at an altitude of 1,150–1,250 meters. The origins of its history are lost in the depths of time, specifically in the 12^th century AD when Vlach shepherds first came and settled here. Its name comes from the characteristic red soil of the area.

Its history is turbulent, with periods of prosperity and decline, a result of its strategic position along the old routes that connected Thessaly with Macedonia. The village was destroyed many times by Ottoman troops (1821, 1854, 1878) as well as during World War II, in 1943 by the Italians and in 1944 by the Germans, yet it always managed to rise again.

Its most important period of prosperity coincides with the liberation from Ottoman rule (October 8, 1912) and continued during the Interwar period.  At that time Kokkinopilos had about 2,000 inhabitants, an urban school with five grades and a kindergarten, a telegraph office and a post office.

A base for mountain explorations

The village’s impressive location and the natural beauty that surrounds it make it an ideal destination for travelers who love nature, hiking, and authentic mountain experiences. Kokkinopilos is the gateway of the European Trail E4 to Olympus and an ideal starting point for hikes and ascents, with the highlight route being the Stalagmatia gorge that leads from the forest to alpine landscapes.

It has also been associated with important athletic events, such as the Faethon Skyrace “Apostolos Tsourekas”, which has attracted mountain running enthusiasts for the past 15 years to demanding routes above the village. 

Living memories

Today the few permanent residents continue to light their fireplaces from September and keep alive a place charged with memories. The cobbled paths, old watermills, lime kilns, and the windmill narrate a way of life that flourished in harmony with the mountain. In the village taverns, the renowned local meats are grilled in a way only the Vlachs know, stimulating the senses of smell, sight, and of course taste. 

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Two buildings at the entrance of Kokkinopilos continue to awaken pleasant childhood memories for the village residents and beyond. The impressive old stone Primary School is being renovated and will soon be able to host exhibitions and events. The student camp complex at the location “Dragasia” has remained inactive for the past 20 years, yet the thousands of children who stayed there in previous decades do not forget, now as adults, the carefree moments they spent here, in a wonderful natural environment. Hopefully they will reopen someday!

A landmark for Kokkinopilos remains the church of Agia Paraskevi (the “Panagia” of the Vlachs) with its impressive walnut wood iconostasis. The church was built in 1732, burned by the Turks on May 10, 1821, and rebuilt in 1832. 

At the feast of Agia Paraskevi, in late July, the village comes alive again, as expatriates return and Kokkinopilos fills with voices, music, memories, and emotion. 

*Kokkinopilos is 32 km from Elassona, 73 km from Larissa, and 51 km from Katerini.