The peninsular region of Pelion is characterized by the giant mountains carpeted with intensely dense forests and the blue deep waters on all three sides. This region is marked by myths, legends, history, tradition and culture. It is a place of deep interest for historians, archaeologists, tourists and also nature enthusiasts. Each and every village in this region has some myth or history attached to it. The locals have a collection of fascinating myths and legends to tell their visitors.
Ancient myths say that Pelion was the land of the Centaurs, some strange creatures half men half horse. These creatures were teaching young men to read, write and fight. Centaur Chiron, for example, was the teacher of Jason, the leader of the Argonautic expedition. In fact, there is a cave in Pelion that was said to be the residence to Chiron.
According to archaeological evidences, the earliest civilization on Pelion dates back to 6,500- 6,000 B.C. Excavations have led to the discovery of the remains of fortresses, houses, graves and numerous household artifacts. The area from which these objects have been discovered belongs to modern day Sesklo, located to the west of Volos. The quantity of excavated materials proves that this community was tremendously populous and organized. It flourished during the late Neolithic Era and diminished in 1,600 B.C. The next historical account highlights the loss of 40 warships near the coasts of Pelion that belonged to the Persian ruler Xerxes in his attempt to conquer Greece in 480 B.C.
Much later in the 15th century A.D., the Byzantine Empire lost its rule to the Ottomans. This gave the Ottomans the opportunity to invade and conquer Balkans and Greece. This event saw the advent of Turkish reign that continued for the next 400 years. It was during this time that Pelion came into focus as it became a refuge for those people seeking safety from the barbarism and the plundering carried out by the savage Turks. Its high mountains and dense forests increased the region’s defensibility and inaccessibility. Therefore it saw the arrival of different kinds of refugees, from intellectuals, educators, priests, monks, merchants, craftsmen to freedom fighters who were desperately seeking for peace and security. These people then set up various establishments on the mountains and around the coasts. Trading routes were invented and ports were also built.
The craftsmen who came to this region were extremely skilled in making objects from stone. They built several houses and magnificent churches, monasteries and mansions. In the mountainous region, especially, when you come across any traditional Pelion hotel with stone architecture, you will be amazed to see the minute details that these ancient craftsmen have taken care of even without modern architectural tools. Today, Pelion is a unique region of natural that has developed winter and summer tourism and bases its economy on tourism and agriculture.
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