Pelion: Exploring Tsagarada with the picturesque paths and unique architecture

Those of you who are lovers of nature and tradition, and want to escape the trouble of the big city, making a fall escape, can visit it on the eastern slopes of Pelion. Tsagarada is a traditional village, built in an area full of beech, chestnut and plane trees, about 46 km east of Volos, and has panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. In the area you will find several paths and paths, which enable you to hike, crossing the amazing chestnut forests. A characteristic of Tsagarada is the particular architecture, known as “Pilioriki”. This architecture includes excellent buildings bearing the seal of the nobility and the creative crest of the vehement Tsagaradiotic element, such as works of general interest (schools, churches) and mansions. Many of these have been created by the generation of benefactors who, when they returned from foreignhood, established brilliant buildings. Typical examples are the Commercial School, Nanopoolio, the aqueduct of the Holy Brigades and the construction of the Tsagaradas road- Apples. The village consists of four smaller settlements, which are named after the churches located in the central squares: Agios Taxiarches is the oldest settlement, Agia Paraskevi and Agios Stefanos, located along the public road, and Agia Kyriaki, which is located low on the mountain slope towards the sea. The church of Saints Taxiarches stings interest in the Venetian-style iconostasis, dating to 1749. The construction of the Temple was completed three years after the church was built (1746). The church of Agia Paraskevi was built in 1909 by Tsagaradioti benefactor Nikolaos Stakos. In 1772 (or 1805 according to another source) The church of Agios Stefanos was built, which during the 20th century suffered damage resulting in a decrease in its height. The toponym “Chagarada” was the reason for many contradictory versions. The more simplistic version is about shoes and is based on that the village was once called “Chagarades”. Another version is based on etymology of foreign words, mostly Slavic, related to the “good view”. When the first houses were built Tsagarada began to be built around 1600. But there are findings, such as ancient constructions, tombs and pits dating back to around 1363. Also the area was inhabited in the early Macedonian period as well as in Byzantine times. The first houses built were near the sea, but because of the fear of pirates they began building higher and higher. In addition, due to the large proportion of the poverty that existed, the population of Tsagarada turned to the craft industry. There was also an intense migration of most East Pelion residents towards the cities of the East, mainly in Smyrna, Alexandria and Constantinople. In the early 20th century, in 1909 the Nanopoolian school was founded, taking its name from benefactor Nicholas Nanopoulos. In 1985 it was described as a Work of Art. Initially its operation was limited as a Economic High School and later began to meet the needs of primary education. In secondary education it was the Achilles Commercial School which was built in 1864, with a donation from the Egyptian brothers Achilles, originally to house a civil school, in 1905 it became commercial (where it attracted students from all parts of Greece) while later and until 1988 it operated as a training area for elementary, high school and high school students, until the current building of high school housing – Chagarada High School was built. The sights of Tsagarada Platanos 1,000 years old : Undoubtedly, the village’s tourist attraction is the platanus in Agia Paraskevi Square. Platanos is one of the oldest trees in Europe, with its age reaching 1000 years. Secret School: During the Turkish occupation in the middle of a spectacular and steep rock that is beaten by the wild waves of the Aegean Sea, next to the beach of Fakistra is the Hidden School (the chapel of Panagia Megalomata). There he practiced a monk from 1668, who taught children, secretly from the Turks. The cave is preserved and worth visiting. Old bridge: At the beginning of the village is the oldest and most famous stone one-arch bridge. It was named this because of its date of construction in 1728 and was the only land road of that time. It unites the village of Tsagarada and Xurichiou. The length of the bridge is 18 meters. At the same time, Tsagarada is known for its beaches because of its crystal, blue and extremely clean waters. The famous beaches are a region of Mylopotamos, Fakistra and Karavostia. What to eat In the traditional settlement of Pelion you have the opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes and fine mezes, such as Spetsofai, consisting of four materials (tomatoes, olive oil, peppers and sausages). Also, you should not fail to try the trunk. The bubari is a chopped liver with onions, rice and spices that enter a intestine and are baked in the oven. Also, those who love spicy flavors should try the convenient beater (which is pink-red), which is a cheeseball with feta cheese, hot pepper, tomato paste and garlic. Traditional dishes in the area are also chichiravla (vlastria) that become pickled with vinegar and garlic, as well as colicians (sea anemones) fried in turquoise. Finally, in Tsagarada you will find several sweets of the spoon. The most famous is the small pink apple growing on the slopes of the Mount Centauri, the hammer. Tsagarada is 370 km from Athens, which means you have to go about 4 hours.