Volos is half-way to Thessaloniki on the Aegean Sea. It is in the province of Thessaly and lies at the foot of Mt. Pilio (Peleon, the land of the centaurs). This land was previously thought to be the home of Jason and the Argonauts who sought the golden fleece.
We toured the city and surrounding traditional Greek villages as well as the archaeological museum. Our first stop was the museum which had been a hospital. Our guide was an archeologist and had done excavations in the area. Unfortunately, the wing where items she had found was closed. The museum was organized by era starting with the Neolithic period.
The Museum houses a wonderful selection of interesting artifacts and various objects of antiquity from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods in the regional. These collections emphasize the historical importance of Magnesia and Thessaly in the early years of civilization.
After the museum, we drove into the mountains to see some traditional villages. We stopped in Makrinitsa, to get a better feel of them. Locals call it the balcony of Mt. Pelion. On the way we stopped to look down at Jason’s Village, Iolkos.
Makrinitsa is set on the side of Mt. Pelion at about 2,700 ft. It is a charming mountain village with brick homes and cobblestone streets. It dates from 1204 CE.
We had time to enjoy a cappuccino, sitting the the town square. It has a magnificent view. Close to the square is the small Agios Ioannis Church ( Church of St. John) and Fountain. Legend says that water from this fountain will bestow a long life. This 18th century church is a landmark for the village. It has a beautiful stone bell-tower and intricate carvings. Inside are lovely frescos. Next to the church is a marble fountain, carved in 1809.
Also on the square is the Museum of Byzantine Art and Culture filled with beautiful icons from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
After our sojourn into the mountain villages, we returned to our ship to prepare for our visit to Thessaloniki.