1) The Saint Lawrence (20 km east of Volos, 550m. altitude), is a village with old mansions and cobblestone walks. Is built on the southern slopes of Pelion, between the villages Drakeia and St. George. Near the village is built in Byzantine Monastery of St. Lawrence (1378). Today it functions as a nunnery. Around the village one can visit 12 Churches and chapels. Among them is the Church of St. Apostle of the New, where celebrated nationwide pilgrimage.
The village owes its name to the Convent of St. Lawrence, built by Roman Catholic Benedictine monks (the Amalfinous) during the Crusades (11th century.). The monastery was abandoned later be built again as orthodox monastery by Saint Lawrence in Trapezountios, monk of Great Lavra on Mount Athos. The reconstruction of the monastery was completed in 1378 with financial assistance of the emperor Alexios Komninos C. Today the monastery of, located just outside the village, Priory is a female.
At rebuilt the Monastery of St. Lawrence, the 14th century., then began to be inhabited village. The location of the village and the relative autonomy of the region of central powers led to the development of agriculture, craft and trade. So, in later centuries, with the advent of other new residents – Epirus, Vlach and islanders – and the development of agriculture and commerce, the village of St. Lawrence grew very, to reach its peak from the late 17th century. until the mid-19th century. The Agiolafrentites cultivated olives and fruit on the slopes below the village to the plain between wild and Lehonia, while trade of olives to the Balkans and the Danubian areas yielded large profits.
During the Revolution 1821, monk Cassavetes signed the revolutionary call for the liberation of Thessaly arhontariki the Monastery of St. Lawrence.
Today, St. Lawrence remains one of the villages of Pelion. The villagers still live off agriculture, while important source of income is tourism and.
The village has a rich traditional architecture with many churches, mansions, squares, fountains and cobblestone streets (paths). Apart from the Monastery of St. Lawrence, the visitor can admire the church of Panagia Souravlou (dedicated to Giving Spring), St. Athanasius and St. Demetrius on the main square.
2) Crossing the village of Ano Lehonia, the road leads to the village St. Blaise approximately 15 km. From Volos. The route from Upper Lechonia to Saint Blaise is a pleasure for visitors and nature lovers. The village (former independent community and now apartment Artemis) extends from Pagassitikos (settlement Malaki) to mid elevations of Pelion. The total actual population is 785 residents (census 2001) and the village operates preschool and primary school.
The name comes from the church, dedicated to the saint and namesake built the 1836. The previous name of the village wasKarampasήKarabasis, which in Turkish meansblack head. In the years immediately after the liberation of Thessaly (1881), Karabasis became the district of the municipality Nileias. The 1914, the Karabasis became independent community and its name was changed to Saint Blaise, from the church of the village was built in the 1836. Since 1998, Saint Blaise is a municipal district of Artemis, which has its headquarters in Upper Lechonia.
During the Turkish, The settlement of Paliokastro, located in the gully between the Upper and San Lehonia Vlasio, almost exclusively inhabited by Turks. Naturally, in the village mosque and there was (mosque). The tower of the mosque (minaret) was partly ruined by the end of the 20th century., but vandals blew the Greeks.
3) Following the path to the Under Lehonia, Located Bridge Vrychonas. The old bridge next to it is a historical monument. It is the first concrete bridge in Greece. Built in 1917. Today has been completely rebuilt and she goes by the lines of the famous train of Pelion. In Lower Lechonia (11km. 40m. altitude) the luxuriant vegetation and the scent of spring flowers intoxicated atmosphere. The residents themselves are outdoor vendors of fruits and their flowers. A short distance from the village there is a wonderful beach with famous taverns, known by the name Coast Chatzivangeli.
4) In the area of Upper Lehonia are the famous buildings of Kontos, the tower of the Olympian and Koukousli, neoclassical Hatzikiriazi and Katsiopoulou and the restored train station. This station is the starting point of the legendary train of Pelion, so-called "Moutzouri" running the route from Lechonia on Apples Pelion.
Port of Upper Lehonia is the hamlet PLATANIDIA. Distance from the village center and 1 km from Volos 13 km. The name comes from the many trees that had previously. On the western edge of the settlement archaeological site discovered in 1966. Today Platanidia, is important resort and attracts many visitors from home and abroad. There are many rooms and apartments by the sea. The visitor can find rich and spicy dishes in taverns and fresh fish from local fishermen. Generally, is one of the beautiful areas of Pelion that deserves to be visited by everyone.
