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Portaria
is a beautiful mountainous traditional village at
an altitude of 650m and is 13km from Volos.
It was built around the monastery of "Panagias tis
Portareas", which was itself built in the 13th
century. The name of the village "Portaria"
takes its name from this monastery. The village is filled
with green scenery, spring waters, cobble-stoned
paths and old mansions.
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Next to the village
square you can see the ruins of the hotel "Theoxenia",
which was considered the most luxurious of hotels
in all of the Balkans.
However, it was
destroyed during the German occupation of
Greece.
The remains today stand as a testimant to
the importance and stature of Portaria
all those years ago.
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Along side the
road that leads to Hania is the chapel of Panagias
tis Portareas, which houses many painted icons,
and is right next to the church of Agios Nicolaos.
On the road that leads to Makrinitsa is the Byzantine
monastery of Agios Ioannis Prothromos, which
is full of Byzantine icons and decorations.
You can take an interesting walk to the spring
fountain "Mana" (Mother) with impressive
waterfalls at the place of Karavos.
From here, if
you follow the path you will pass through scenery
of luscious nature and spring waters, to a
stunning part of Portaria known as Athamena.
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During the summer
in Portaria many festivals take place. In
May is the "International Dance Day", and
in July is the "International Dance Festival for
Children".
August sees the
"International Dance Festival". During
the last week in August the festival reaches its conclusion
with the revival of a traditional Pelion wedding.
In autumn is
the "Ascent of Portaria", which is organised
by the car club of Volos. For more information
on this call (24210) 55339.
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Portaria
is a place for quiet and peaceful summer
or winter vacations. It is extremely beautiful
and full of nature and traditional houses and mansions.
It is also just 12km from the ski center "Agriolefkes",
which is always popular in the winter.
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