Pelion Mountain
Rare plantation, Flowers, Herbs, and Paths in a colorful combination make up the magical scenery of the Pelion Mountain!
Since ancient time Pelion Mountain was thought to be the mountain of flowers and pharmaceutical herbs. According to mythology, it was the summer residence of the gods of Mount Olympus and homeland of the Centaurs. Moreover, Peleas’ wedding with Thetis along with the first beauty contest between the beautiful goddesses Era, Athena and Aphrodite took place at its slopes. Finally, the Secret School of Regas Fereos that contributed a great deal during the Greek Revolution of 1821 is located on the mountain.
Pelion Mountain spreads from the northwest to the Southeast with a length of 44 km and width of 10 km south up to 25 km north.
The mountain’s borders are Platanorema near Neochori in the south and Kaporema near the monastery of Flamouri in the north. The highest peak of the mountain is at the north side, 1.624 m high (peak of Pourianos Stavros). Some other peaks are Kotroni 1.550 m, Pliasidi 1.547 m, Aidonaki 1.537 m, Agriolefkes 1.471 m, Dramala 1.455 m, Schitzouravli 1.450 m, Golgothas 1.415 m, Lagonika 1.300m.
There are also some remarkable springs in Pelion that might interest you to visit. The most important are those of Kaliakouda and Lagonika. The springs known in the mountain are approximately 70. There are also some big streams such as those of Lagonika, of Vrichona, of Kaliakouda and of Felouka that have a high flow during the winter.
By following the paths of the mountain one may admire the various kinds of flora and fauna, at least 1.500 kinds of plants and 14 kinds of threatened habitats. Pelion is protected by articles 92/43 and 79/409 of the European Union, as part of the NATURA 2000 Program of the European Union with the code GR 1430001.
Three kinds of plants (Campanula incurva, Lesquereuxia syriaca και Soldanella pelia) are included in the “Red Book of Plants in Greece”, whereas there are totally 38 rare kinds.
While going up Mount Pelion one can come across beech forests, while in the North there are the Macedonian Firs. There is a line of chestnut trees beneath them. In the central squares of some of the villages there are perennial planes, actual natural monuments!
The 24 villages of Pelion were constituted during the period of the Ottoman Domination, with Zagora being the biggest village and the commercial centre as well. Horefto still is the port of Zagora.
In Mount Pelion there are olive tree crops in lower altitude, apple tree crops in eastern medium altitude and potato cultivation in higher altitude.
Mount Pelion has such a special beauty every time of the year that it invites everyone to discover and fully enjoy it!
