We are off for a weekend in mountainous Pella, for strolls in picturesque Palaios Agios Athanasios and skiing at the highest ski resort in Greece.
Mount Voras (or Kaimaktsalan) is the third-highest mountain in Greece, after Olympus and Smolikas. The name Kaimaktsalan is the Turkish name for the mountains highest peaks and means the cream thief, referring to the snow, since among all the mountains of Greece it is here that the snow falls first and melts last.
On the mountains slopes, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, a beautiful traditional settlement awaits you, one of the most popular winter destinations in Northern Greece. We are talking about Palaios Agios Athanasios, the mountain village of Pella that stands out for its traditional Macedonian architecture, as well as for its proximity to the highest ski center in Greece.
Palaios Agios Athanasios: The «Arachova of the North»
The village of Palaios Agios Athanasios is 30 km from the city of Edessa and 123 km from Thessaloniki. It was built in the late 16th century and was formerly calledTsegani. In the mid-1980s the residents abandoned the village and created Neo Agios Athanasios a few kilometers lower, on the plain,where the weather conditions were milder.
The situation was reversed in the mid-1990s, when the Voras ski resort was created. The ski resort quickly became famous in Northern Greece, and very soon the rest of the country followed. The road opened, the stone-built houses with tiled roofs were restored, luxurious guesthouses and hotels with jacuzzis and spas were created, tavernas, restaurants and cafe-bars with respect for local architecture - and this is how the story of the «Arachova of the North» began.
Today, the village is one of the most popular winter destinations in Northern Greece. Visitors to the traditional settlement will admire the stone-built houses, examples of traditional Macedonian architecture, which blend perfectly with the areas natural landscape. Buildings with tiled roofs and basic building materials of stone and wood dominate everywhere and explain why Palaios Agios Athanasios is known as the «stone village».
Visit the Church of the Ascension (1700), a three-aisled basilica with wonderful icons in Byzantine style, as well as the chapel of Agios Athanasios, on the hill of the same name, to admire the superb view toward Lake Vegoritida, the third largest lake in Greece by area.
For skiing at the highest ski resort in Greece
On the mountains highest summit, the Voras-Kaimaktsalan Ski Centerpromises generous doses of snow-white adrenaline. It is the most famous ski resort in Macedonia and one of the countrys best organized, with excellent facilities and runs for every taste. It is also the highest ski resort in Greece (from 2.000 to 2.524 m) and one of the few with such a long snow season. It began operating in 1994 and its popularity spread throughout the country.
The lowest point of the ski center is at 2.050 m with the main lodge, parking and ski schools, and it reaches up to 2.480 m at the end of the Kremasi lifts route. The ski resort has an aerial lift of the two-seater chair type, three surface lifts of the platter and T-bar type, two beginner lifts, a snowmaking installation and 12 runs of varying difficulty. It is considered the ideal ski center for improving technique and for routes on untouched snow. The view from the mountain is exceptional and, when the weather permits, you can see the Thermaic Gulf and the summit of Olympus.
The little chapel on the mountains summit
The most impressive point of the mountain is the Prophet Elias summit, with the little chapel with the steeply pitched roof that is dedicated to the memory of the Serbian fallen of World War I. The ride by snowcat up there is worth it to enjoy the stunning view from Greeces third-highest peak (2.524 m). The church was built in 1920, on land granted by the Greeks to the Serbs in order to create a memorial for their dead, from the battle that took place there in 1916.
Nearby excursions
If you have the time and inclination for more excursions, it is worth visiting the nearby villages (Panagitsa, Kerasia, etc.) as well as Edessato admire its famous waterfalls. A short distance away, there are other places worth seeing, such as the renowned Pozar Thermal Baths and Lake Vegoritida.
ACCOMMODATION
- Very close to the central square of Palaios Agios Athanasios, the guesthouse Patrikohas18 rooms and maisonettes that blend luxury with local tradition and offer all modern comforts. The jewel of the guesthouse is the Cafe & Beer pub Patriko (awarded at the beer-pedia awards of Macedonia).
- The recently renovated Chalet Lithoswill welcome you in a warm and elegant setting. It has a cafe with wonderful views of the village, as well as a restaurant that serves refined dishes.
- The 4 Seasons Premium Chalet is a luxurious and traditional property composed of suites with handcrafted furniture, lovingly made for each suite separately.
- The Tsegani Guesthouse offers stone-built rooms with all modern comforts and with respect for tradition.
- A section of the Metohi Inn guesthouse is housed in an old mansion, giving visitors a sense of «old-world glamour». The entire building was recently renovated, offering every comfort.
- The luxurious suites of the traditional guesthouse Anesis Suites are decorated with wood and stone. They feature a living room with a traditional fireplace and a kitchenette.
- The Miramonte is a design hotel with spa facilities and gourmet restaurants. It offers stylish accommodations with views of the village and a heated indoor pool.
FOOD
- Opposite the Tsegani Guesthouse, next to the central square, is the tavern of the same name, one of the oldest and most famous in the area.
- Also, the tavern Petros, theKalyva, Asagka Palia Istoria and Katafygio are classic haunts for food lovers in Palaios Agios Athanasios.
- In Panagitsa, the restaurantPetrino stands out, with dishes of local and Asia Minor cuisine.
