Opposite of the magical Pelion is the unexplored western Magnesia.
Sourpi – Almyros – Velestino – Stefanovikio – Anavra. Names that remind you of something … Exits of the highway that you never followed! Those who have been demonstrating for so many years traveling north? Where to say and who can believe you are here … And that you like it! Perhaps more because you did not expect it.
How can you convince others that there is a beautiful area in Greece that has not been explored, which you do not even think well in your eyes! Located on either side of the highway, which has a nice, rich mountain with caves, stone bridges, lively villages, harbors that are soaked in Pagasitikos, lakes and forests and archaeological sites – all worth visiting. Who do you dare say to steal a day from Pelion to come here, and not to go crazy? You do not dare yourself!
“Back” in this area is the Othris Mountain which is the border of prefecture of Magnesia with the prefecture of Fthiotida. The legend says that the Titans had their base in Mt Othris when they were fighting with Zeus from neighbor Mt Olympus ( Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece). Here was the ship of Deucalion and Pyrras, during the Cataclysm caused by Zeus, and they gave birth to the first … Greeks and reborn the human race.
You will find caves and gorges at Mt Othris. Cavers are coming more and more – they talk about more than 50. And lovers of canyoning do not go back. They talk about waterfalls, incredible passages, stunning rocks and go on say. At her feet lies the plain. It also has cotton and corn and tomatoes.
Well, for the olives we do not talk about it, it’s everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of acres of cultivation. Farmers all the inhabitants of the villages. Lies, and livestock breeders. Bulls, goats, sheep and pigs ride streets and pens. More than 100,000 creatures. And then it is the sea. Pagasitikos gulf, in the southernmost point of Magnesia, blends its waters with the Evoikos. Sandy tens, organized or not, popular as it is in the summer. Karagiol, Tsigelli, Amaliapoli, Nies, Agia Marina, Lefki, Rodia, Loutro …
Anavra
Exit: Pteleos. Finish the snobbering. The national expels and the sea pulls west. The cellar that separates Evian from Pagasitikos is called Stavros. On the one hand the popular Saint Demetrios, on the other hand also the popular Achillio. Taverns with fresh fish, rooms, beaches, paved waterfalls … In Achilles has also been called a crater of an inactive volcano, Hyperionas is said to be the father of the Sun by Titan. And nymphaeum has been detected.
As the Pteleos is drowned in the olives. Monoculture says. Smooth hills and olive groves reach to the water. An incredible day. Kefalochori this year, headquarters to Kallikratis. Raised sleeves on the streets, all on foot. The age of the olive tree. Beautified and alive, it shows the way to the beaches. What else to ask visitors?
Loutro and Pigadi, as a genuine smoothness. Famous beach, famous port, respectively. Without exclamation however, normal things. Among them is the castle of Pteleus. The remaining walls, and the tower. Venetian and unique witness to the ever-present neuralgic harbor. You go by car and you look at the view. The bay of Achilleion behind, the Pentecost in front. And even more … forward, opposite, and south Pelion. The end of it. Trikeri and Agia Kyriaki, call you as sirens. Close the ears, we have a way …
You have seen Sourpi many times from the national road. Sourpi is a solid town at the foot of the hill, where the plain begins. The borders of the Greek state, which between 1830 and 1881 were a line from Pagasitikos to Amvrakikos, have left marks here.
Nies is also a popular resort and Amaliapolis. They say so in honor of Queen Amalia who took care, she says, for the architecture of the settlement. Greek servitudes … Nea Mitzella is said to (and must be said) the village as the inhabitants of the mysterious Old Miletus of northern Pelion settled here.
Almyros is the homonymous municipality and classical provincial town. The residents of Almiros will remember the enormous history of the area, which seems to be inhabited by the Late Bronze Age and will talk about various archaeological sites around – a cigarette road is the ancient Alos.
You will see the squares, the comfortable streets, the archaeological museum in a beautiful neoclassical building and, above all, the old high school, today a conservatory – a point of reference of Almiros.
And of course the Kouri forest with the ponds and the restaurant. No one conceals his bitterness (or rage?) About the forest that from 20,000 acres. counts around 1,000. Fruit and grazing have decimated it. Others say indifference in general …
The touristic interest leads to neighboring Euxinoupolis. Refugee settlement. The signs for Zirelia or Zarelia lakes are our theme. Two perfect circles in the meadows. Like falling meteors. Or did they fall? Perhaps gas explosions to create a volcano. How many times have you seen this in your life?
Another originality of the region, this time anthropogenic, is dragging you to Anavra. Standard management of funds and renewable energy made it first of all autonomous. Then rich and crowded. Then famous. And imagine that everything started from the livestock units. Not all the locals of the area are applauding. Everyone has his own reasons. They will tell you, as long as you drive 40 km from Almyros as it is.
Source text the travel book
