Makrinitsa is a village build on the slope of the mountain of Pelion. It is an amazingly picturesque village, with cobbled streets and traditional stone mansions. The village square hosts a famous old plane tree that provides coolness and shade. This spot offers a stunning view of the city of Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf that is truly breathtaking.
Visiting the famous church of Makrinitsa
After a coffee in the square, a visit to the neighboring church of St. John the Baptist is highly recommended. It hosts rich relief decoration that is the artwork of the famous folk sculptor Theodosius Agrafon (1806).
Also a series of frescoes created by the Mount Athos painter Iakovos, as well as the icons of the painter Pantazis that date back to the 19th century make the Church of St. John the Baptist one of the most important ecclesiastical monuments of Pelion region.
Exploring Makrinitsa
Next to the church of St. John the Baptist is located the famous fountain with the four bronze heads of lions, that dates from 1809 and according to the legend, its water has supernatural properties.
The Museum of Folk Art of Makrinitsa housed in the Topali Mansion dates from 1844 and is another attraction of the village. Its exhibition includes books, equipment, tools, jewelry, costumes, banners, and weapons. All those items create a vivid representation of the daily life in Pelion during the past centuries.
In the lower district of Makrinitsa, Koukourava, is located the Medieval Tower of Skotiniotis, while among the worth-visiting monuments is the church of St. Magdalene that stands for its frescoes and icons dating from 1737.