Argalasti, a semi-mountainous village and the head one of South Pelion, is of particular interest from an architectural view, as in many of the houses you can see built into the walls
ancient or medieval pieces from the original. It could be considered the last large village of South Pelion, located 40km from Volos at an altitude of 250m.
Argalasti is built on a fertile plateau full of olive groves. There are very few villages in Pelion that have their own production of flour, wheat, barley and cereals, but this is one of them.
In the area they farm vines, figs, apples, pears as well as many other trees and the fertile land and rich pasture cause everything to grow really quickly.
During the Ottoman occupation there was a very important silk farming trade, mercantile system and spiritual centre. It was the capital village and headquarters of the Turkish Army Chief and many coastal villages were used as harbors for Argalasti though Lefokastro (White Castle) was its main port.
Even today it remains the commercial centre of the area as it offers large stores, commercial shops, a Health Centre, primary and secondary school, Post Office, Police station and petrol station. One of Argalastis’ main sights is the building of the Greek School, where the poet Kostas Varnalis, taught philosophy.
The most impressive though is the neoclassical marble tower of the church of Agion Apostolon (St Apostle), which has a height of 25m, square base with a width on each side of 10m, two Russian bells and Swiss watch and was built in 1913.
It is also worth seeing the beautiful fountains of the village, the ‘Koueni’, ‘Hantzi’ and the ‘St Yianni’ and around the fertile country surrounding Argalasti you can find stone bridges.
Certainly worth visiting, 4km outside of the village towards the side of the Pagastikos golf in the location of Paou, the Byzantine Monastery of St. Nicholau Paou. was built in the early 18th century. It is set in a wonderful location, amongst the cypress trees and olives with the added surprise for swimmers as it has one of the most beautiful beaches of the area, “Megali Paou (Great Paou), which is located 6km from Argalasti (there is also a camping site in the area), or “Mikri Paou” (Little Paou), 5km from Argalasti which is a small hamlet.
Whether on the small or large Paou, you can enjoy a peaceful swim in clear, turquoise waters with shingle and sand, even during the summer months as these particular beaches are not so known to the general public. Both beaches are ‘drenched’ in green.
A little further outside you can find the beaches of Kalamos and Horto.
At the beaches around Argalasti sea turtles are known to be spotted, and here, as in other areas of Pelion, there are many organized cultural events, festivals with music, dance and theatrical productions, particularly during the summer months.
On the 20th July there is a festival in the village of Katsilochori of Argalastis for the celebration of the Prophet Ilia.
Throughout the area you will find many small and large hotels, rented rooms, traditional mansions and guest
houses, of which many are situated by the waters edge, or above on the green slopes.
There area also many restaurants, tavernas, cafeterias to satisfy all tastes.
Our Suggestions for Argalasti.