Milies – Central Pelion – Hotels at Milies – Accommodation at Milies – Sights – Pictures
Through a verdant slope of Central Pelion, stands the village of Milies, one of the most famous and popular villages of the centaur’s mountain, combining perfectly the natural beauty with tourism development. It is the head village of the municipality and close to other significant Pelion villages, like Vizitsa and Pinakates. It is visited every year by thousands of people who come to admire the sights and the traditional Pelion architecture.
The earliest written mention of the village dates from 1510, but there are significant evidences that the village was inhabited much earlier. Tradition says that founders, where villagers from Milies, Evia who left their village and came here to escape from pirate attacks. During the Ottoman period it played an important role in the economic and cultural affairs of the region and was the center of the revolution in 1821. Great names of the enlightenment era where born in Milies such as Anthimos Gazis, Daniil Filippidis and Grigorios Konstantas, who were also the founders of the Miliotiki (Milies) school “Psichis Akos” meaning Soul Therapy in 1814 and having its library surviving until today.
The village features many sights and attractions and you’ll need some time to visit them all. Remember, if you get tired, the central square with the plane trees, the restaurants and cafes are perfect for a stop, and if you want cool clear water head to one of the traditional fountains scattered around to quench your thirst. The most recognized attraction associated with the village is “Mountzouris” the Pelion train, which attracts thousands of visitors every year from various parts of Greece and abroad. Constructed in the 19th century it connected Milies with Volos and was constructed by Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous artist Giorgio de Chirico.
If you visit the village, don’t miss going to the church of Pammegiston Taxiarchon (The Archangels). Its exact construction date is unknown but we do know that it was renovated in 1741. The church is dedicated to Archangels Michail (Michael) and Gavriil (Gabriel) and at All Saints. What might surprise you, is that looking it’s exterior it doesn’t resemble a traditional church, the reason being that it was build during the Ottoman period and for that reason didn’t have a bellower or other religious symbols. It features stunning Byzantine frescoes as well as historical and religious relics. From here on May 1821 the revolution in Thessaly was declared by Anthimos Gazis.
Opposite to the church is the public library of the village, where you’ll get the chance to admire artifacts from Miliotiki School, “Psichis Akos”, old physics and chemistry instruments as well as historical relics from the revolution era.Very close to the square is the town hall, which houses the Milies folk museum. The museum hosts a rich collection of folk art and also paintings from the famous painter Theofilos. A must visit is towards the Milies’s train station and making a trip with the train, Moutzouris towards Lechonia. During the summer period, till October 31st, it performs daily trips, boarding at 11am from Ano Lechonia and departing from Milies at 4 pm. The beauty of this picturesque scenery is completed by the impressive metal bridge “De Chirico” that is located in close distant to the station, and the monument for the fallen, where 33 villagers where executed by the Nazi forces and are honored every year with a memorial on the first Sunday closest to the 4th of October.
Finally, do not miss visiting the church of Agios Nicholaos where the tombs of Gazis, Konstantatas and Filipidis are, and the cave where, according to tradition, lived the centaur Chiron.
If you plan on visiting the village during summertime, you will have the opportunity to participate at the fair of Agia Paraskevi, which is held between 25 and 27 of July every year and has traditional music and songs among other activities. Also during summer, a series of cultural events called “Fillipidia” is organized with exhibitions and concerts by the local cultural association while in mid August the Miliotiki Vradia (Milies Night) is held and by the end of August the village is full of visitors coming to celebrate the Pear festival.
Close to the village beaches for your summer swims are Kala Nera and the wonderful beach of Boufa (Koropi) which is approximately 8km from Milies.
Hotels in Milies – Accommodation in Pelion
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source text discoverpelio.com
