Pelion is an idyllic combination of green mountains and blue seas. The architecture of this peninsular region is mostly influenced by the uneven landscape of the region. If you choose to stay at any Pelion hotel in the mountains, you will find that the architecture is quite different from that of the hotels in the coastal villages.
This region mostly stands out as a mountainous place with a beautiful white coastline that stretches from the Aegean Sea to the Pagasitic Gulf. There are numerous small hamlets visible on the green mountain slopes. Near the coastline there are rows of villages each famous for its exceptional beaches.
Most of the villages in the mountains seem to jump out of the slopes. The houses are mostly made out of stone and wood. The roof tops are covered with grey or red tiles. The streets are narrow and winding around the mountains. The cobbled paths are a unique feature in this place. As you look around, you will find that even restaurants and cafeterias have stone interiors. These structures give the visitors an old charm and provide an enchanting atmosphere.
The architecture in the coastal villages however is very different. The houses are mostly concrete and they are painted in white colour. Most of the streets and lanes are not cobbled here and have a straight surface. The building patterns are quite modern and they are rather spacious inside. Most of the houses have big yards and flowered gardens in front. You will also notice several stone arched bridges over the meandering rivers in the villages.
The stone mansions and churches also deserve special mention. Their structure and architectural planning tell us about the history of this region. Inhabited by fine craftsmen, they built all the magnificent stone mansions, churches, houses and streets that we see today. It was their idea and planning that created such architectural marvels in Pelion.
A traditional mansion of the region usually consists of three floors. The foundation of the building is out of stone whereas the rest of the floors are a combination of stone and wood. The walls of the mansion are 20 cms thick in order to keep the heat out. A huge and imposing door will serve as the entrance to the property. Windows on the ground floor are small and limited in numbers.
The second and third floors will have huge windows so that it allows enough light to enter inside the rooms. The roof of the mansion is usually covered with grey slates. Many of these mansions were built in the 17th-18th century. They have been renovated today and used as a Pelion hotel or a residence.
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