Makrinitsa (formerly known as Makrinitza) is a traditional settlement of the Municipality of Volos of the Region of Thessaly (program Kallikratis). Its population is 694 inhabitants according to the 2011 census, quite low compared to previous decades, although in recent years it is again rising. Most of its inhabitants are engaged in tourism. Built on the western slopes of Mount Pelion north of Volos, it is one of the most touristy mountain villages of Greece and is famous for its traditional color, its unique Pelion architecture and its excellent view towards Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf. For this reason, it is characterized as a “balcony of Pelion”. The Square of Makrinitsa Shortly after the first fall of the city between 1204 and 1215, the lush and rich landowner Konstantinos Maliainos established the monastery of the Virgin Mary of Acute Visitation or Makrinitissa in Pelion. A small initial settlement was organized around it, which from the neighboring monastery was named Makrinitsa. The monastery that was founded by Maliainos fell into obscurity in the 17th century and eventually collapsed. However, the building material and sculptures of this building were reused in the construction of the church of the Virgin Mary (1767), dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

The settlement developed rapidly in the 18th century thanks to trade and tanning, and in the early 19th century it became the strongest and most populous town in the region. In fact, like the other settlements in Pelion, it had received special privileges from the Ottomans. Irresistible witnesses to the flowering of Makrinitsa include, among other things, its magnificent mansions, built mostly between 1750 and 1830. Makrinitsa was one of the villages that emerged during the revolution of 1821. With the declaration of the revolution in Pelion by Anthimos Gazis, the Pelionians besieged Velestino and Volos. However, with the intervention of Dramalis the siege failed. The Ottomans then besieged Makrinitsa, who eventually dropped after strong resistance and the revolution in the region was stifled. Makrinitsa also pioneered the revolution of Thessaly in 1878. The most important battle during this revolution took place in Makrinitsa. The revolutionary bodies of the region and the inhabitants of Makrinitsa, led by Margarita Basdeki, resisted vigorously but eventually succumbed when they arrived in the Turkish Aid area. With the mediation of the English, the revolution is over.

Three years later, in 1881 Makrinitsa was incorporated with the rest of Thessaly into the Greek state. After the liberation, Makrinitsa became a municipality, while in 1912 – 2010 there was a separate community. Post-war began the tourist development of the region, which continues until today. Nowadays the village is one of the most famous destinations in Pelion, many of its old mansions have been renovated and turned into hotels, while the traditional crafts of traditional products have grown, among which the best known are tsipouro, pasta , honey and jams. Entrance of the Byzantine Museum of Makrinitsa The Museum of Folk Art and History of Pelion is housed in the Topalis mansion, built in 1844 under the main square of Makrinitsa and representative of Pelion architecture. In the beautiful Makrinitsa square there is the Theofilos Cafe which is known all over Greece and abroad for a painting by the famous folk painter Theofilos Hatzimichael. Today the building has been classified as a “historic listed monument” and is owned by the Makrinitsa Community.

The composition of the wall painting describes a feast in the Katsantonis camp in a natural environment, with a river in its lower part. A dominant figure, Katsantonis stands out from his comrades because of his bigger size, while he has a gun and plays daboura. The other fighters sow lambs, play music, sing and dance. The great architect Le Corbuisier writes about Theophilos in an article, among others: “… He is a painter born of the Greek landscape. Through Theophilus, here is the landscape and the people of Greece: rocky churches, pine trees and olive groves, sea and mountains of the gods, people bathing in a bold, tranquil tranquility … “. Also in the central square of Makrinitsa is the Byzantine Museum of Makrinitsa “Acute Visitation”, which hosts heirlooms from the 13th century. It is unique of its kind for the wider region, and hosts educational programs for schools and educational institutions.