Makrinítsa: Fountains, Alleyways and History

More than 50 fountains line the cobbled alleyways of Makrinítsa, offering walkers places to pause along the way. As a result, exploring the village and taking short breaks go hand in hand. The central square is known as the “Bazaar”; the “Lions” fountain also stands there. West of the square rises the Church of Saint John, built in 1806 and richly decorated with stone reliefs.

Squares, Churches and Historic Houses

The locations of other buildings can also be identified in the village: the Church of the Mother of God, built in 1767, stands east of the main square. The Church of Saint Magdalene dates from 1802 and is located in the Koukourava district. The Church of Saint Athanasios was built in 1792. These different dates offer a glimpse into Makrinítsa’s long history of construction, without any one building having to represent the village’s entire history.

The Vaitzi mansion, dating from 1761, is also located in the lower Koukourava district. The Skoteiniotis Tower and the water-powered Dristela mill are also there. The tanning trade flourished in Koukourava during the 19th century; today, ruined tanneries can be found there.

History and Traditions of Pelion

The original settlement of Makrinítsa was established in the early 13th century around the Monastery of Theotokos Oxeias Episkepseos, also known as Makrinitissis, which no longer exists today. This early origin and the later traces of trade give the village different historical layers. Mega Rema is also part of Makrinítsa’s distinctive landscape: the gorge is described as particularly beautiful, and a well-preserved bridge stands in the area.

Another cultural highlight is the Mayides procession. It follows the cobbled paths to the central square, accompanied by singing, dancing, drums and zournas. In 2022, the Mayides tradition of Makrinítsa was added to Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For travellers who want to discover local traditions as well as historic buildings, it offers a distinctive way to explore the village’s history.

Museums and Walks

The Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion brings together various records of everyday life and art. The collection includes folk murals from Pelion mansions dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, household items and equipment for distilling tsipouro. It also features icons, copper engravings and small examples of ecclesiastical art, traditional Pelion costumes, and tools for spinning and weaving. The museum is currently closed for roof repairs.

The Byzantine Museum of Makrinítsa offers educational programmes for school students; contact the museum to check current availability. The traditional cobbled lanes are ideal for walks. The many fountains provide notable places to pause along the way, while squares, churches and historic buildings shape the route through the village.

Choose Makrinítsa as Your Base

When choosing a holiday apartment, consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on Makrinítsa’s alleyways, squares and cultural history, or include the surrounding area in your plans as well. Volos is 17 km away, and the Pelion Ski Centre is 12 km away. These distances give a sense of location but do not indicate journey times. The location that suits your plans will therefore also depend on which of these destinations matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sourpi, Xinovrysi, Lefokastro, Kalamos, Amaliapoli, South Pelion, Portaria, Achillio

See the main travel overview: Magnesia.