Anasa Hotel - Zagora Pelion

Historical Facts about Zagora

Pelion and particularly the East side is remembered as a lived in place from mythological times.

Its towns and villages which existed then were destroyed, exactly when and for what reason is still not clear. What one can say for certain is that most villages in East Pelion were originally coastal villages. However because they were regular targets of raiding pirates the residents were forced to move away and resettle higher up.

The preferred areas for new settlement were near Monasteries.

Accordingly, Zagora the most populated and most important village in Pelion was created.

It is not absolutely clear when Zagora was established but findings such as the Byzantine ruins and other older buildings, ancient tombs, clay vessels, swords and coins show that a pre-Christian town existed in the area.

The starting point of present day Zagora was the Monastery of "Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros". that Monastery was founded in 1160 but it was destroyed by fire in August 1887. Around the monastery, where the Church of "Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros" stands today were the first homes of the residents of Zagora.

Afterwards the village expanded and extended to Aghios Yeorgios, Aghia Kiriaki and Aghia Parasskevi.

Zagora after the 17th Century

From the end of the 16th century Zagora began to develop rapidly. this was helped by the privileges bestowed on it by the Sultan Mehmet in 1669.

An important component of those privileges was that the Turks would not take up permanent residence in the area. Agriculture and commerce flourished, they were exporting silk to Venice, Germany, Dalmatian and other places in Europe.

With this development commercially Zagora acquired a fleet of ships, the famous Zagorian ships.

At the same time rich merchants who had settled abroad, paved the way for its cultural development.

 

Zagora under Turkish Rule

During Turkish rule there were two schools in Zagora. The first simply referred to as 'school' when it was established is unknown.

The second, called 'the Ellinomouseio' was founded around 1702. This school became well-known for its eminent teachers and excellent students.

Later about 1762 with the help of the Patriarch Kallinikou the 3rd and merchant Ioannis Pringos the 'Ellinomouseio' was enriched with many rare and important books. Both these man were from Zagora.

Those who studied at the school include Anthimos Gazis, Grigorios Kostantas, Rigas Feraios and Philipos Ioannou amongst others.

During the 1821 revolution those Zagorian men under the command of Kiriakou Basdeki played a leading part in the siege of the fortress of Volos.

During part Pelion uprising in 1878 Zagora was the headquarters of the revolutionaries.

The vestments of Patriarch Kallinikou in the Zagora library.

    

The Distinguished People of Zagora

Zagora became equally well-known for its outstanding academics, scientists, merchants and philanthropists. It blossomed for two centuries both economically as well as culturally filling her children with goodwill and a love of their birthplace. Some of the distinguished were:

Zagora became equally well-known for its outstanding academics, scientists, merchants and philanthropists. It blossomed for two centuries both economically as well as culturally filling her children with goodwill and a love of their birthplace.
Some of the distinguished were :

The Patriarch Kallinikos the 3rd.

His brother, Archbishop Dimitriados- Zagoras Grigorios.

Ioannis Pringos, a big merchant in Amsterdam and benefactor to Zagora.

Moisis Kritskis, founder of school in Zagora.

Nikolaos Kritskis, vice admiral of the Russian fleet who left a large sum of money to the Greek government for scholarships for students.

Ioannis D. Kassavetis, founder of the girls school in Zagora.

Phillipos Ioannou, 19th century Greek philosopher queen Amalia's tutor professor at the National Kapodistriakou university.

Nikolaos Kostis, professor of pharmacology and obstetrics at the National Kapodistriakou university.

Theodoros Afendoulis, professor of pharmacology and medicine at Athens university.

Alexandros Pantos, founder of the Pandos school and many mare.

Dimitrios Polimeris was an emigrant Zagorian living in Egypt who gave generously to his birthplace.

He was born in 1857. he emigrated to America. There with tireless effort and persistent work he amassed a large fortune on his return he donated money for public works in Zagora. He gave three million Drachmas for the construction a water reservoir. It was with his funds that the road network connecting the villages in East Pelion was constructed.

He was one of the biggest benefactors to Zagora.