The traditional settlement of Makrinitsa, the so-called "Balcony of Pelion", is located 17 km from the city of Volos. It received the name Makrinitsa from the Monastery of "Our Lady of Makrinitsa" (or Our Lady of the Acute Visitation) founded by Con. Melissinos between 1204-1215. Makrinitsa was a small settlement of workers who worked on the estates of the Monastery. In 1615, 147 farming families lived in the village. After 1700 the settlement flourished and at the end of the 18th century, it became the capital of the endowments, being under the administration of the elders and maintaining many privileges. At this time, many churches, towers and mansions were built. Makrinitsa took part in the movement of 1854 as well as in the battles of Survia and Sarakinos against the Turks in 1878.
Entering the village, we can see the central square with the centuries-old plane trees and the panoramic view towards the city of Volos. In its center stands the Fountain with the 4 bronze heads of lions (1809) from where the "immortal water" gushes. To the west of the square, there is the church of Agios Ioannis (1806) with stone carving decoration and hagiographies by the painter Theofilos (1910). To the east of the square, we find the church of Panagia (1767) with exquisite stone carving decoration, while in the precinct the two-story church of Agioi Pantos and Agios Nikolaos with frescoes from 1743 is preserved. In lower Makrinitsa, in the district of Koukourava, in the so-called "Mega Rema" , are the old watermills and the now-ruined 60 tanneries that operated in the 19th century until World War II. Of interest are the Medieval Tower of Skoteiniotis (late 17th-18th century) and the church of Agia Magdalene with portable icons and frescoes from 1737. In the settlement, many mansions from the 18th-19th centuries have been preserved. such as that of Vaitzis (1761) in Koukourava, Hatzikostas, Topalis, Tsimboukis, Mouslis, Mavros etc. Most are stone-built, three-story, fortress-style with iron-barred windows on the ground floor, turrets, battlements and barracks.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis
