Agalasti is one of the oldest villages on Pelion, located in the south of the peninsula. It was built on a fertile plateau surrounded by olive groves and is located 41 km from Volos.
The large area on which Argalasti is located was once a huge grassland where serious agricultural production took place. During the 15th century, numerous Greeks with their herds from all over Greece settled here, fleeing the Turkish occupation. Argalasti was the center of Pelion during the Turkish Empire.
The hard-working locals created fields where they sowed wheat and barley, so the village is one of the few villages on Pelion with its own flour production. Later, olives, vines, figs and other fruits came and the village was one of the most developed on the peninsula. The municipality of Argalastija has expanded to both the east and west coasts, so that many coastal settlements function within this municipality. The inhabitants of Argalasti actively participated in the revolution of 1821, without an experienced leader and without weapons. They showed exceptional courage and self-sacrifice, especially their leader Giorgis Damtsas.
Argalasti is one of the main centers on Pelion, where the municipal offices and the main medical center serving all of Pelion are located. The KTEL bus network also runs through Argalasti, covering all important places on the peninsula.
If you walk through the village you will be impressed by the traditional atmosphere and architecture. Near the church, the tower of Agii Apostoli (Holy Apostles) is paved, the main square of the village, in the thick shade of an old tree, under which there are numerous taverns with excellent and affordable food. The main specialty is lamb on a spit. The church of the Holy Apostle itself dominates the village because it is 45 meters high and was built of marble in 1914. The church has two Russian bells. It is a copy of the tower church of Agia Fotini in Smyrna, which is located in Asia Minor.
In the village there is also the house where Margaritis Dimadis lived, who was a member of the “Filiki Etaireia” (Society of Friends) as well as the building of the women’s school where the famous poet Kostas Varnalis taught literature.
Argalasti in its surroundings has a selection of beautiful beaches on the east and west coast. On the east coast, on the Aegean Sea, there are the sandy Potistika (15 km) and the beautiful Paltsi beach (13 km). On the west coast in the Pegasitic Gulf are Paou beach (5 km), Kalamos and Lefokastro (9 km). One of the main attractions on Pelion is horse riding. In Argalassi you can rent these beautiful animals and experience something beautiful and a little different on your vacation. Horse rental is done by Nikos, where he takes you on various tours in the villages of Metohi and Horto, through various roads and even to the beaches. There is also the Kentavros Riding School where you can take lessons and ride through the beautiful landscapes of Pelion.
