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... REGION: Thessaly ... Prefecture: Magnesia ... / Pelion \ ... / Volos \ The prefecture of Magnesia occupies the east side of Thessaly, encompassing the peninsula of the same name, which ends in cape Trikeri and encloses the Pagasitic gulf in its embrace. Its boundaries extend to the Northern Sporades islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos. Among the fairest regions in Greece, Magnesia, crowned by superb Pelion, probably owes its name to the Magnetes tribe, who led by Magnes – son of Aiolos – inhabited the area in prehistoric times. Travellers, however, who may find themselves taken unawares, carried away so much beauty, may find another unscientific derivation of the word more appropriate, as they find themselves “magnetlsed” by the place. Much praised Pelion with its picturesque hamlets; Volos and its port, which holds out a promise to modern day Argonauts of travels full of surprises; gorgeous beaches, some tucked into wind-free coves, some disappearing into the infinite expanse of the Aegean, are only some of the delights hidden away in this corner of Greece. Pine trees, oaks, firs, wild olive trees, chestnut trees and a myriad shrubs and plants – most of them with therapeutic properties – cover the mountains of Magnesia (Mts. Pelion, Tisaion, Orthris, Mavrovouni), which take up the greater portion of its surface, endowing it not only with unsurpassed loveliness, but also with wealth. Magnesia is also renowned for its healthy climate; thanks to the beneficial effect of the sea surrounding it to the south and east it is blessed with mild winters and cool summers. The shoreline formed by the large enclosed Pagasitic gulf and the Magnesia peninsula is somewhat broken up on the inner coast of the Pagasitic, while the coast facing the open sea is unindented. Another characteristic of the region that is most pronounced in Pelion is its advanced social attitude towards culture, which is revealed not only in the preservation of traditional houses but also in the locals’ effort to revive tradition in their customs and habits as well as in their arts and crafts. The high standard of folk art found in the museums as well as in shops is directly linked with the daily way of life in the region today. From the economic point of view the prefecture shows a balanced development of agriculture, industry – with the first car assembly plants in Greece; and tourism – with the on-going qualitative upgrading of infrastructure and services in this sector.

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