Municipality of Argalasti
 

Argalasti lies 40km from Volos, on a fertile plateau on the Mountain of the Centaurs, in a landscape dense with olive trees. It is one of the most important of the larger Pelion villages, known as kefalochoria, or large villages. Magnesia, Municipality of Argalasti ArgalastiIt enjoyed its heyday in the period of Turkish rule, when it offered a refuge to free-thinkers fleeing the yoke of Ottoman oppression. The villagers own large areas of land, forest and meadow; the main crops are olives, grapes, figs, wheat, barley and various fruits. Quite a few of the farmers also raise livestock and fish, and in the old days there was an important silk industry here. Visit the village square, the fine neo-classical houses, the home of Margaritis Dimadis, member of the Philiki Etairia, the building which once housed the old Girls' School, one of whose headmasters was the great modern Greek poet Kostas Varnalis. In the three-aisled church of Aghios Petros and Aghios Pavlos, admire the imposing marble belfry, said to be a copy of that at the church of Aghia Foteini in Smyrna.

Argalasti is the starting point for many of the finest cobbled tracks that lead to the coastal and mountain villages of the region. Follow one of them and discover the little chapels along the way, the arched stone bridges and amazing beaches.

At Metohi you will find many features of the traditional Pelion architecture, while at Xynovrisi there is the three-aisled stone basilica of the Dormition, built in 1778. You should also visit the Aghios Nikolaos Monastery at Paou, up on the acropolis of the ancient city of Spalafthra, with its 18th century wall paintings, as well as the Taxiarches Monastery, the coastal village of Lefokastro, where Dramalis and his forces camped before their assault on the region, the Folk Museum at Chorto with its traditional Pelion costumes, and the olive presses and packing plants.

Enjoy a swim on one of the famous beaches near Argalasti and visit one of the picturesque fishing villages like Kalamos, Lefokastro, Paltsi, Chorto, Xynovrysi or Potistika.
The local council organizes a wealth of cultural events, with support from the Angelini Foundation and local societies and organizations. There are all sorts of events to enjoy while vacationing in Argalasti: festivals, international conferences, theatre seminars, music and dance.

Web site: http://www.argalasti.gov.gr