The History of Pelion

The legendary mountain of Pelion, in the heart of Thessaly, stretches between the Aegean Sea and the Pagasetic Gulf, from Keramidi to the promontory of Trikeri. Its lush vegetation, combined with the endless blue of the sea, creates a mythical landscape that has been recognized since ancient times. Pelion was the setting for the Titanomachy, and it was here that the sacred cave of 'Acræus Zeus' was located.

In this cave, people would ascend every July to pray to Zeus to send rain on the hottest days of the year. On the slopes of Pelion, Peleus married the Nereid Thetis, and together they had the legendary hero Achilles. In the dense forests of Pelion lived the Centaurs, with the most famous among them being Chiron, who taught notable heroes such as Hercules, Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius.

Asclepius, in fact, became so advanced in medicine that he surpassed his teacher. He created the symbol of the snake, which had a therapeutic significance, and laid the foundations of Medical Science. From the forests of Pelion, the Argonauts also built the ship 'Argo', dedicated to Poseidon, and set off to discover unknown lands, spreading Hellenism along their way.

Pelion, with its lush greenery, has been inhabited for centuries. Systematic settlement seems to have begun in the 12th century, primarily by monks. The 24 villages of Pelion began to take their current form and experienced significant growth during the period of Ottoman rule. At that time, many inhabitants from the surrounding areas, seeking to escape oppressive slavery, fled to Pelion. These villages were granted special privileges, which allowed them to organize efficiently, establish workshops and businesses, and enjoy prosperity and economic growth. This was possible because the region of Pelion belonged to the Sultan's mother, Valide Sultan, and enjoyed autonomy. The area was divided into 'vakoufia,' with Argolasti and Makrinitsa as the main towns, and 'hasia,' which were governed by the pasha of Larissa.

The economic development reached such heights that products from Pelion were exported abroad. Entire caravans of mules, loaded mainly with woven goods and shoes, would set off from the villages of Pelion, destined for the Black Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, Vienna, and other European capitals. Alongside economic growth, many schools and libraries were founded. Numerous intellectuals of the time sought refuge in Pelion, which enjoyed relative freedom. As a result, many schools of nationwide reputation operated there, and Pelion became a beacon of the Modern Greek Enlightenment.

The great teacher of the Nation, Rigas Feraios, received his first education in Zagora, Pelion. All these factors contributed to the creation of the rich Pelioritic tradition, in both the arts and literature, as well as in customs and practices. This tradition remains alive and can still be experienced by anyone who ascends the magical slopes of Pelion.