Makrinitsa - Greece | The Balcony of Mount Pelion

Makrinitsa is a charming Greek village that since 2011 is part of the municipality of Volos in Magnesia, Thessaly nicknamed the balcony of Mount Pelion perched on the edge of this iconic mountain boasting spectacular views.

This village is considered one of the most authentic villages in the whole of Greece that has been able to preserve its traditions and profile with its typical architecture, whitewashed houses, cobbled paths and picturesque streets.

The name of this village was first attested in the 13th century, linked to the Makrinitissa Orthodox Monastery, later changing the name due to Slavic influences to Mokrinitsa, a diminutive of Mokrina, which means humid locality and then Hellenized again.

The village was built on terraces and can be seen from the Koukourava district where the first houses were built at 300 meters of altitude with a considerable difference in height that reaches 850 meters where the other district called Kakouna is located.

All the area is surrounded by green heights packed by pines, chestnut trees, olive groves and Mediterranean scrubs.

Most of the palaces and houses date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, many of them have been renovated and converted into hostels, offering tourists an environmentally friendly stay and all the districts are connected to each other by a network of well-designed cobbled streets.

At the village square Plateia Eirinis, Peace square stands the Church of Agios Yiannis Prothromos and on the side of the building you will notice the presence of an old spring fountain developed in 1809 with sculptured lions heads and the inhabitants used to say that the water coming from that fountain made people immortal.

In the Koukourava district stands the medieval tower of Skotiniotis, picturesque alleys, and old water mills.

In Makrinitsa you can also visit the Palace of Topali which is a museum devoted to folklore, art and history very interesting to visit to discover and learn more about local culture and traditions.

In the vicinity you can admire a beautiful natural environment highlighted by splendid vegetation with many streams of clear cold water flow across it forming small waterfalls and tiny lakes.

In the upper part of the village there are several streets and lanes leading to approximately fifty stoned fountains with spring water and that presence are another of the major attractions of the entire area.

The Pelion Massif is a rugged territory packed by of forests and wild mountains dominating the blue waters of the Aegean Sea and it is a distinctive land related to epic events, linked to legends and considered a place frequented by Gods.

In the case of Mount Pelion, it was for many people a haven and meeting point of their most venerated divinities, which from its summit were always ready to create legendary and mythological episodes, checking from its summit what happened around the local gulf and acting depending on their moods.

Gastronomy in this area is superb you can try the famed and appreciated Tzatziki sauce often present accompanying different specialities and one of them is the famous Gyros consisting in meat combined to a fragrant pita bread adding tomato, onions and that sauce.

Another one is the very appreciated Kleftiko, lamb prepared in a special style, before the meat is marinated then baked in the oven and the process is ended adding garlic and lemon and it is often combined with the popular Souvlaki famous grilled vegetables and meat skewers.

You can also? try the famed and exquisite Saganaki, fried cheese which often accompanies other foods including seafood and a variant is called Garides Saganaki which consists in shrimp combined with Feta cheese and a tomato sauce adding to all that spicy spices.?

The Spetsofai is an old local recipe consisting in a rich stew combining sausages, spices, tomato, onion, garlic and pepper and considered one of the distinctive plates of the entire region.

Many are the salads typically Mediterranean including the famous and full of flavour including the iconic Kalamata olives. Many of them are prepared with red onion, lemon juice, rocket or lettuce and the Bulgur a kind of cracked wheat.?

During the summer season various events take place in Makrinitsa, the most; important is certainly the presentation of the popular Maides, a traditional festival that is linked to the Hellenic God Dionysius and is based on the rebirth of nature and life, also this Village also becomes a place for exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography and home to theatrical performances.

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Link : https://www.aroundpelion.com/villages/makrinitsa

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Where to Stay | Recommended Accommodation

Archotinko Anemos

Hotel Adam

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