On the outskirts of Southern Pelion, at an altitude of 310 meters, lies the village of Lafkos. For its name, there are several points of view, one of which states that it comes from the word “glaukos”, which means clean and bright, as does Lafkos horizon. Its history begins somewhere in the late 15th century, with a tradition of centuries of customs and customs. It is located 54km away from the city of Volos with access from the village of Metochi and from the village of Milina, the port of Lafkos.
The first icons entering the village are the smiling and hospitable inhabitants. The locals keep alive the customs and customs of the place, which they transmit from generation to generation. The village has remained unchanged over time, having a very traditional character and making it stand out from other villages. The attraction for visitors from Greece and abroad, as well as for people of arts and letters. Destination for the whole year, as every season varies with the beauty of nature and the activities that the visitor can do. In Lafkos there are six traditional stone guesthouses and a 3-star hotel. Book your hotel here!
Museums in Lafkos
-Fampio Museum where you can admire the paintings and the sculptures of the homonymous artist Athanasios Fampas, who was born in Lafkos, lived and studied in Romania and his sculptures can be admired in various parts of Greece.
-Antonis Tavanis Radio Museum with the collection of radio, donated by the German private Wilfred Seps under the auspices of the City of Athens
-Laque Folklore Museum – With exhibits of folk art
* Museums are open every day during the summer months and after a co-ordination during the winter season.
Churches in Lafkos
The birth of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the village, is located in the village square and is built in 1756.
Agia Paraskevi is located on the western side of the village, built 100 years ago.
Monastery of Agios Athanasios, built in 1795, is 7 km. on the north side of the village at Kouttiki.
Profitis Ilias, built on the highest point of the village with panoramic views of the Pagasitic Gulf. Ideal place for idyllic sunsets.
Saint Nicholas’ chapel, the Vounines, built in 1820, hidden among the olive trees at the intersection of Lafkos – Platanias
St. John’s outpost in Sara, on the route Lafkos – Milina.
* The main church of Lafkos, built in 1887, at the rhythm of Vasiliki, with a large female icon, a wood carved temple, is of particular beauty
a wood-carver D. Fappa, icons that were painted by the Lauchiotis painter A. Tsamasfyros, who taught at Mount Athos, while the marble work was performed by the marble sculptor K. Tsamis.
** The monastery of Saint Athanasios is of great interest. Expenditure of the Continental chieftain Stergios Basdekis, his architecture, also of the Epirot, Municipality of Zoupaniotis, in a Byzantine style. Exterior is adorned with unique beauty, stone reliefs and other works by sculptor Spyros Miliou.
The square of the village is one of the largest of Pelion, with plane trees that stand in the middle of the centuries and offer their dew. There you can enjoy your coffee in one of the oldest traditional cafes in Greece that has been in operation since 1785 by Emmanuel Forlidas, which has been in operation since 1785 and is recorded as one of the oldest cafes in Greece. The stone fountains, Tulouba, Paliovrisi, Hatzovrisi, Kounouriria Vrisi, which the inhabitants had supplied with water during the years. The paved cobbled streets surrounded by old mansions, traveling back to time. Heroes Park – A small park in the place of Shvala for walks, play for young children and relaxation in the green.
Cultural Associations in Lafkos
Laikiotou Cultural Association, “Action”, was founded in 1976 by the young people of the village and continues its activity until today, respecting the customs and customs of the village and celebrating events throughout the year.
Department of Traditional Dances, Cultural Association or Action
Music School “Dimitris Fabas” – where students are taught guitar, viola, bouzouki, mandolin parts for children and adults. Total students 35 people.
Traditional Festivals and events in Lafkos
May 1 & 2 – St. Athanasius Fest. On the afternoon of Stay (May 1st) there is glorification and baptism in the Monastery and the passing of the icon of St. Athanasius, with the locals, coming with absolute indulgence, as everyone is tied to this monastery. After the end of the operation, bread is distributed to the world and loukoumia is offered. Then they all sit in the three dining rooms of the eating mansion (each company bakes or brings its own food, while the traditional food of the village is offered from the monastery) followed by a feast of feasts with local musicians.
May 8 – Fest of Saint Nicholas (New)
Early in the morning there is a Liturgy in the chapel and after that, the locals roast meat according to the custom, and enjoy the accompaniment of live music until late afternoon.
July 20 – Fest of Prophet Elijah
It is a Divine Liturgy and a feast is set up in the surrounding area with live music and food. But before the feast begins, there is a demonstration of radio-controlled airplanes on the model site located on the site of Profitis Ilias.
25 and 26 July – Agia Paraskevi Fair. The largest feast of the area with Divine Liturgy in the afternoon of the stay and the morning of the celebration in the old and beautiful, homonymous church, with the old icons and the few stairs. There is a two-day feast with live music and dance in the central square.
8-10 September – Feast for the Birth of the Virgin Mary (patron saint of Lafkos) with food, dancing with live traditional music in the square.
Events
Spring Exhibition of Plants – This exhibition is of great interest as it presents a wide variety of plants and seeds and attracts many people of different nationalities.
International guitar festival with leading participants from Greece and abroad.
Exhibition of Pelion Art in Lagos Rachi and other parts of the area.
Customs, Customs, National Holidays
The Halloween (mobile celebration), the theatrical group of the Cultural Association, performs a theatrical performance, offering joy and fun to the locals and visitors alike.
On Net Monday, where Lent begins, people gather in houses, fields or taverns, drink tsipouro accompanied by fast-food meals and fly kites at the custom.
On March 25th, the Greek Revolution of 1821 is celebrated. Primary students parade on the main road of the village, then recite poems and lodge laurel wreaths at the Heroes’ Monument. Afterwards, the Traditional Dances Department dancing with traditional Pelion costumes on the central square. Naturally, on this day, the tsipouro could not be missed.
October 28, the National Anniversary of NO is celebrated, students parade on the main street of the village, reciting poems and depositing laurel wreaths in the memory of the heroes. The Department of Traditional Dances also gives a present here.
Easter is traditionally celebrated by the locals who faithfully adhere to the customs and customs. Beginning from the Sunday of Vaia, where Vagia, the laurels, are prepared by the newly-married couples one day before, and Pappas of the village distributes them to the world after the Divine Liturgy.
During the Holy Week until Wednesday, the women of the village prepare the houses, paint the pots and pick up the traditional Easter sweets like brioches, cookies, and kurabiedes to make everything ready for the day of Easter. On Thursday, the housewives of the village paint the red eggs, according to the custom, and the same evening come with dedication to the church where the function of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is performed. After the end of the Liturgy, the young girls undertake the flowering of the Epitaph. On Good Friday there is an epitaph around the village. The Great Sabbath is running for the Resurrection of the Lord, while the janitors have prepared from the morning the cook, which they eat in the evening after the Resurrection.
On Easter Sunday in each house a lamb is baked early in the morning with the accompaniment of tsipouro, wine and mezedes.
The taverns in the village square have also prepared the same preparation for the Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday with the purpose of giving the visitor the opportunity to taste the local tastes and to experience the experience of Easter in the village.
December 19th Christmas Bazaar – by Laukos Cultural Association The action on the central square, tree decoration, music, sweet and hot wine with honey and spices.
December 31 Theatrical performance on the evening of the Stage with the pupils of the Primary, High and High School which takes place in the elementary school of the village. There is a pie cutting and lottery drawing with lots of gifts.
Activities
Walks in the cobbled paths that connect Lafkos with the surrounding villages. Read the hiking routes of southern Pelion.
Climbing the climbing field of 16 routes on “Mikro” beach and “Paou” beach in cooperation with a climbing club. Read more here.
A walk on Mount Tisceon for the most adventurous, always in association with the Association of Friends of the Caldera and a professional guide.
Cycling between villages and beaches
Botanical Seminars either in a sheltered area or in a combination of walks in the cobbled streets
Horseback riding on the beach overlooking the Aegean Sea in Katigiorgis settlement.
Beaches
On the Aegean Sea side:
Small * Sandy beach with clear waters and unlimited natural callus. Tavernas and coffee by the sea with excellent food. Unregulated beach.
* 3 km A small settlement is located in the area of Aphilanes. There is nowhere in the middle of a small family tavern with food cooked in the wood oven, spices from the depths of the East, sweetly made with love by the owners and all in a unique environment away from prying eyes and fuss. It is worth visiting
Platanias – small sandy beach with organized camping
Katigiorgis – sandy beach, not organized with taverns
Kastri – non-ornate beach, sandy with crystal clear waters
Liry – small beach, unregulated, sandy with crystal clear waters
Mourtias * In 2005, it ranked 7th in a row worldwide as an infinite natural beauty beach characterized by the rocks in the row in the sea. Unregulated beach.
Chondri Ammos is a non-organized beach with pebbles and clear waters.
On the Gulf of Pagasitikos side:
Horto – Small picturesque village with few beaches, organized with sunbeds, cafes and taverns
Milina – a small beautiful village with four beaches in total, two organized with sunbeds, cafes and taverns and two non-organized.
Vathosilia – unregulated beach, hidden in the olive groves, with clear waters
Marathias Beach hidden in the olive groves, with the trees offering their shade, with 2-3 small taverns for tsipouro next to the sea and fresh fish
