Municipality of Zagora

47km north-east of Volos lies Zagora, situated on the verdant slopes of Mt. Pelion. The largest of the main villages of Pelion, it consists of four neighbourhoods: Aghia Paraskevi or Perachora, Aghia Kyriaki, Aghios Georgios and Sotira. Zagora was built around the historic Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, founded in 1160, and enjoyed its heyday in the 17th-18th centuries. The early inhabitants of the village worked in the manufacturing of silk and materials. Setting out from the picturesque harbour of Chorefto the boats of Zagori carried the renowned products of the region, building up a substantial trade by sea and establishing Zagora as an important commercial and spiritual centre for its time. Zagora's first school was housed in the Saviour Monastery and was followed by that at Aghios Ioannis Prodromos. Later, with the support of the Patriarch Kallinikos III, a native of Zagora, this school, now known as the Ellinomouseio of Zagora, was upgraded to a Higher School.

It was here that several important national figures received their schooling, among them the hero of the War of Independence of 1821, Rigas Velestinlis.

Today the school library has more than 18,000 titles, including some rare manuscripts.

It is worth visiting the Zagora Ellinomouseio, and also the churches of Aghia Paraskevi and Aghia Kyriaki. In the three-aisled basilica church of Aghios Georgios you can see the carved wooden, gilded screen and exquisitely crafted pulpit, true works of art.

Make sure you visit the Women's Agrotourism Cooperative of Zagora and purchase the preserved fruit and various delicacies made with great enthusiasm from traditional recipes, handed down from generation to generation.

The neighbouring village of Pouri is located at 450m from sea level. Nearby is the highest peak on Pelion, the Pourianos Stavros, reaching a height of 1615m.
Visit the village square and enjoy the unique view across the Aegean. About halfway from Zagora to Pouri stands the picturesque chapel of Panayia Rasova (13th century).
Have a swim from the beaches of Elitsa or Ovrio, or at the picturesque little harbour at Chorefto, with its famous beach of sand and small pebbles.
Visit Makrirachi and buy some of the Pelion flowers, famous all over Greece - gardenias, camellias and hydrangeas. Take the road down to the sea, which leads you to the wonderful Agioi Saranta beach.

Hotels, rental rooms, restored old mansions, restaurants, tavernas, cafes - the area has facilities of every kind to meet the most demanding tastes.

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