About the village
Agios Vlasios is a small mountain village in Central Pelion, surrounded by rich plantation and decorated with traditional Pelion buildings. Located between Lechonia and Agios Georgios, in a beautiful route with dense foliage and lots of streaming waters, close to the city of Volos and from nearby villages Lechonia, Agios Georgios Nileias and Pinakates. Although it is a small village it spreads on a large area starting from the Pagasetic Gulf (At Malaki) reaching up till the middle of the mountain from where it enjoys an unrestricted sea view.
The area was named Karabas or Karabasi, a Turkish word that meant black head (Kara= black and bas=head). Turks gave this name as they used to call Karakas the Agios Nicholaos monks from the Strofylos community. Regarding the village history, it faced significant events and changed ownership several times, up till the 19th century it was one of the districts of Agios Georgios, in 1914 it became an independent community and in 1998 it was added to the Artemida municipality.
Agios Vlasios is not regarded as a busy place in Pelion, that’s why it is preferred by travelers who wish to enjoy relaxed and carefree vacations within nature. The main square is where all activities take place, it has a unique beauty with an aged plane tree where visitors can rest and enjoy local meze at nearby taverns. The square is decorated with big stone tiles and at the end lays a traditional marble fountain where one can get refreshed.
Religious sightings exist here as well, The church which draws the most attention is the church of Agios Vlasios which gave the village its name and was build in 1820 or 1836 by the famous craftsman Dimos Zipaniotis, from Epirus, known for his works in Pelion. It features great paintings from 19th century and every year on the 29th of November the evening mass becomes a celebration honoring the churches establishment.
Close to the village, in the area of Karabas, near the monastery of Pameggiston Taxiarchon Nileias, one can find the monastery of Genniseos Theotokou that was founded in 1900 and from 1979 operates as a convent. Smaller churches exist around the village connected through paths, like the church of Agia Eirini that is located in the village border close to Agios Laurentios or the more distant Agios Ioannis chapel.
The traditional kalderimi and the village roads are ideal for walking and discovering the surrounding villages. Walking around the village you will have the opportunity to see the many olive grooves that encircle it and which villagers know very well how to utilize them. At the center of the Ano Lechonia- Agios Vlasios path, you will discover Palaiokastro (Old Castle) , an abandoned old Turkish settlement where a mosque existed till the end of the 20th century. It feels being on a past age with the empty plaza, the few houses and the old medieval castle that exists in the village.
Cultural events such as the local fair in the village square on the 24th of July with traditional dances and songs and the fair on the 11th of February in celebration of Agios Vlassis, give the village an additional sparkle.
Finally, if visiting Agios Vlasios during the summer, don’t miss enjoying a swim into of the close distant beaches of Pagasetic Gulf, which are no more than 5km away.
