Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pilio: The mythical mountain of Centaurs


The mythical mountain of Centaurs is a place where someone can combine both sea and mountain holidays. The highest peak of the mountain reaches an altitude of 1.624 m, while its popular ski resort in Chania (Agriolefkes) is located at an altitude of 1.500 m. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pilio has 24 villages, with the most popular ones (Portaria, Makrinitsa, Moyresi etc) located on the mountain. The villages are usually built around the central square and have characteristic mansions of unique architecture, most of which have been turned into guesthouses.

 

 

 

 

 


During summer all activities are transferred to the coasts of Pilio, where you can find some amazing beaches (such as Damoucharis, Milopotamos, Chorefto etc). The waters of the Pagasitikos Gulf and mainly of Aegean Sea mesmerize visitors from Greece and the rest of the world.










The legendary “Mountzouris”, the traditional train of Pilio that connects Milies with Ano Lechona, is the perfect way to see part of the mountain and some other traditional villages. The first trip from Volos to Ano Lechona took place on the 12th of October 1895, while its extension to Milies was inaugurated on the 2nd of July 1903. The project was designed and supervised by the Italian engineer Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous surrealistic artist Giorgio de Chirico. Both Italian workers and builders from Pilio worked on the project.