Portaria
Portaria in 19th century by S. Pomandi (E. Dodwell, London 1819)
Portaria in 19th century by S. Pomandi (E. Dodwell, London 1819)
Our effort to indentify the first citings of this village led to the book by William Martin, (1777-1860) Travels in Northern Greece, volume 4, London (1835). There we found several references to some villages of Pelio including Portaria. According to his report there were five schools on Mount Pelion for teaching Hellenic at Makrinitza, Dhrakia, Portaria, Zagora and Milies. He reports that the lands of Makrinitza and Portaria produced a sufficiency of oil to admit of the sale of a small quantity in the alternate years. These regions were producing silken articles of a smaller kind, such as cords, girdles, and purses made by the women in some of the towns particularly Volo, Makrinitza and Portaria. It's worth noticing Martin's reference of these regions as towns. His report indicates that Portaria contains about 700 makhaladhes (small neighborhoods) that implies that Portaria was a major economical and cultural center in the 19th century. This view is re-enforced by another traveler, Dodwell, Edward (1767-1832), in his book "A Classical and Topographical Tour Through Greece, during the Years 1801, 1805, and 1806". Volume 2, London (1819). Dodwell remarks that Pelion is adorned with 24 large and wealthy villages, some of which merit rather the appellation of cities, particularly Bolo, Portaria, Makrinitza and Agios Georgios. He reports that in an hour we reached Portaria situated in a forest of platani and chestnuts and proceeding higher up as we arrived at Makrinitza. Both of these towns are inhabited by Greeks of strong and athletic forms who are sufficiently brave and numerous to despise their neighbors, the Turks. The streets are irrigated by incessant rills and the clearest fountains, and shaded by platani, fig trees and chestnuts of the largest size, which are thickly entwined by ample ramifications of vines of prodigious dimensions, and clustering with an exhuberance of grapes. In a footnote: Callimachus assigns to Mount Pelion the poetical denomination of "Cheironides akrai", on account of its having been the habitation of the Centaur Chiron. (Callimachus: Hymn in Delum, line 104). The builders of this page will appreciate any additional information with respect to the history of Portaria and all the magnificent villages of Pelion.
Portaria today: A view with Volos in the background
Portaria is still one of the biggest and most well known villages on pelion, 13 Kilometers, NE of Volos, on the way to the Hania-Skiing resort and Zagora
A high vegetation resort of 650 m altitude with an excellent view to the Pagasiticos gulf, with endless spring waters and with a few old renovated three story mansions - operating as traditional pansions in Pelion architecture - remaining even today. Karavos fall is vey impressive and is situated near the main road. Its waters come from a near-by-spring, called Mana well - worth seeing. Virgin Mary of Portarea, to which Portaria owes its name according to one version, located near St. Nicholasin the main square is also well -worth seeing, as well as the very many chapels printed on the map like St. John's chapel and further up, Mana. Every summer Portaria offers a rich program of cultural activities organized by its own cultural organization Orminion and the municipality board led by the very energetic and creative Vassilis Kontorizos. In the near future we will announce the cultural program for summer 1996. Orminion issues a newsletter that can be ordered through the address Koinotiko (Municipality) of Portaria,Magnesias, 370 11 Portaria.
Accomodation in the village is very pleasant and comfortable. Staying in Portaria one may visit the Pelion skiing resort Agriolefkes of 1500 m altitude.
The skiing resort is situated 12 km from Portaria and 2 km from Hania.
Amenities:
and a constant guard.
Portaria Map
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| Place Name | Location on Map | Phone (Area Code: 0421) | Fax (Area Code:0421) |
| Hotel PORTARIA | near 43 | 99 014, 99 541 | 99 066 |
| Hotel ARCHONTIKO-Kandarzi | 22 | 99 388, 99 444 | |
| Hotel "PELIAS" | 6 | 99 298, 99 240, 01-922 6393 | 99 175 |
| Hotel "XENIA" | 37 | 99 158, 99 159 | |
| Hotel "ALKISTIS" | 14 | 99 529, 99 178 | |
| Hotel "FILOXENEIA" | 5 | 99 160 | |
| Hotel "DESPOTIKO" | 32 | 99 046 | |
| Hotel "Diogenis" | |||
| Hotel "DEBRIADI" | 44 | 99 278 | |
| KAKALIAGKOS Pansion | 90 118 | ||
| MUNICIPAL HOTEL | 1 | 90 020, 90 021 | |
| HOTEL MARI | |||
| Kostantinou's Pansion | 45 | ||
| KENTRIKON | 4 |