Pelion, land of the legendary Centaurs, the site
chosen by the ancient gods for their weddings and celebrations, rises in lush
magnificence to the northeast of the city of Volos.
It was here that the centaur Chiron, the wise teacher
of demigods and heroes, gave his pupils daily instruction in the proper care of
body and soul. Here, too, the first beauty contest took place between Thetis and
Eris.
The "Rich leaved" Pelion was an inspiration
to Homer, Pindar and Euripides but also the more modern popular muse who sung of
the unquenchable desire of the Greek people for freedom.
The highest peak of Pelion (Pliasidi, 1548m) is in
the northern part of the range. Its inaccessible eastern flank, with the Aegean
stretching out into the distance like a vast mirror, comes to an abrupt end in
the sea, creating wildly beautiful rocky shores. Conversely, the tranquil, calm
coast of the western flank on the gulf of Volos is much easier to reach and
encourages shipping activity.
