array(1) {
[0]=>
array(5) {
["file"]=>
array(24) {
["ID"]=>
int(312763)
["id"]=>
int(312763)
["title"]=>
string(21) "006 eisagwgh marathos"
["filename"]=>
string(25) "006-eisagwgh-marathos.jpg"
["filesize"]=>
int(515429)
["url"]=>
string(74) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos.jpg"
["link"]=>
string(47) "https://www.travel.gr/en/006-eisagwgh-marathos/"
["alt"]=>
string(0) ""
["author"]=>
string(2) "11"
["description"]=>
string(23) "Photo: Pericles Merakos"
["caption"]=>
string(0) ""
["name"]=>
string(21) "006-eisagwgh-marathos"
["status"]=>
string(7) "inherit"
["uploaded_to"]=>
int(0)
["date"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-19 09:43:09"
["modified"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-20 13:10:52"
["menu_order"]=>
int(0)
["mime_type"]=>
string(10) "image/jpeg"
["type"]=>
string(5) "image"
["subtype"]=>
string(4) "jpeg"
["icon"]=>
string(58) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-includes/images/media/default.png"
["width"]=>
int(1181)
["height"]=>
int(1772)
["sizes"]=>
array(18) {
["thumbnail"]=>
string(82) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos-150x150.jpg"
["thumbnail-width"]=>
int(150)
["thumbnail-height"]=>
int(150)
["medium"]=>
string(82) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos-200x300.jpg"
["medium-width"]=>
int(200)
["medium-height"]=>
int(300)
["medium_large"]=>
string(83) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos-768x1152.jpg"
["medium_large-width"]=>
int(768)
["medium_large-height"]=>
int(1152)
["large"]=>
string(83) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos-682x1024.jpg"
["large-width"]=>
int(682)
["large-height"]=>
int(1024)
["1536x1536"]=>
string(84) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos-1024x1536.jpg"
["1536x1536-width"]=>
int(1024)
["1536x1536-height"]=>
int(1536)
["2048x2048"]=>
string(74) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/006-eisagwgh-marathos.jpg"
["2048x2048-width"]=>
int(1181)
["2048x2048-height"]=>
int(1772)
}
}
["desc"]=>
bool(true)
["image_position"]=>
string(6) "center"
["image_link_to"]=>
string(0) ""
["open_link_in_new_tab"]=>
bool(false)
}
}
While we were there in wintertime the village was essentially deserted, but this allowed us to admire the arched bridges, water mills, stone houses and alleyways of Marathos. They were in better condition than one would expect in such a small place, as even those who no longer live here love and look after it. At the watermill, we meet one of the few permanent residents who explains how difficult daily life is in such a place, especially in winter. For him, moving is not an option; his life is completely identified with the mountains and waters of the area.
Before continuing our journey, we stop at the Church of the Archangels, which has stood on its site for hundreds of years and has stunning frescoes inside. Before getting back in the car to continue our exploration, we enjoy the freshness and clean air of the mountain once again. We feel fortunate to have come to this truly unspoilt place, perhaps the only one in Greece where everyday life is so reminiscent of times gone by.
array(1) {
[0]=>
array(5) {
["file"]=>
array(24) {
["ID"]=>
int(312759)
["id"]=>
int(312759)
["title"]=>
string(30) "004 marathos agalma katsantwni"
["filename"]=>
string(34) "004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni.jpg"
["filesize"]=>
int(435486)
["url"]=>
string(83) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni.jpg"
["link"]=>
string(56) "https://www.travel.gr/en/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni/"
["alt"]=>
string(0) ""
["author"]=>
string(2) "11"
["description"]=>
string(47) "The bust of Katsantonis/Photo: Pericles Merakos"
["caption"]=>
string(0) ""
["name"]=>
string(30) "004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni"
["status"]=>
string(7) "inherit"
["uploaded_to"]=>
int(0)
["date"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-19 09:42:56"
["modified"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-20 13:11:59"
["menu_order"]=>
int(0)
["mime_type"]=>
string(10) "image/jpeg"
["type"]=>
string(5) "image"
["subtype"]=>
string(4) "jpeg"
["icon"]=>
string(58) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-includes/images/media/default.png"
["width"]=>
int(1248)
["height"]=>
int(1872)
["sizes"]=>
array(18) {
["thumbnail"]=>
string(91) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni-150x150.jpg"
["thumbnail-width"]=>
int(150)
["thumbnail-height"]=>
int(150)
["medium"]=>
string(91) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni-200x300.jpg"
["medium-width"]=>
int(200)
["medium-height"]=>
int(300)
["medium_large"]=>
string(92) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni-768x1152.jpg"
["medium_large-width"]=>
int(768)
["medium_large-height"]=>
int(1152)
["large"]=>
string(92) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni-683x1024.jpg"
["large-width"]=>
int(683)
["large-height"]=>
int(1024)
["1536x1536"]=>
string(93) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni-1024x1536.jpg"
["1536x1536-width"]=>
int(1024)
["1536x1536-height"]=>
int(1536)
["2048x2048"]=>
string(83) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/004-marathos-agalma-katsantwni.jpg"
["2048x2048-width"]=>
int(1248)
["2048x2048-height"]=>
int(1872)
}
}
["desc"]=>
bool(true)
["image_position"]=>
string(6) "center"
["image_link_to"]=>
string(0) ""
["open_link_in_new_tab"]=>
bool(false)
}
}
Tips for Your Visit
It’s best to come here in a vehicle you trust, and even better if it has four-wheel drive, as you’ll inevitably be driving on dirt roads.
Hikers will find themselves in a real paradise. After all, the area’s trails are still a hub of communication for the locals.
array(1) {
[0]=>
array(5) {
["file"]=>
array(24) {
["ID"]=>
int(312768)
["id"]=>
int(312768)
["title"]=>
string(24) "014 marathos pros agrafa"
["filename"]=>
string(43) "014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613.jpg"
["filesize"]=>
int(697566)
["url"]=>
string(92) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613.jpg"
["link"]=>
string(50) "https://www.travel.gr/en/014-marathos-pros-agrafa/"
["alt"]=>
string(0) ""
["author"]=>
string(2) "11"
["description"]=>
string(23) "Photo: Pericles Merakos"
["caption"]=>
string(0) ""
["name"]=>
string(24) "014-marathos-pros-agrafa"
["status"]=>
string(7) "inherit"
["uploaded_to"]=>
int(0)
["date"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-19 09:43:22"
["modified"]=>
string(19) "2023-12-20 13:12:57"
["menu_order"]=>
int(0)
["mime_type"]=>
string(10) "image/jpeg"
["type"]=>
string(5) "image"
["subtype"]=>
string(4) "jpeg"
["icon"]=>
string(58) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-includes/images/media/default.png"
["width"]=>
int(973)
["height"]=>
int(1247)
["sizes"]=>
array(18) {
["thumbnail"]=>
string(100) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613-150x150.jpg"
["thumbnail-width"]=>
int(150)
["thumbnail-height"]=>
int(150)
["medium"]=>
string(100) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613-234x300.jpg"
["medium-width"]=>
int(234)
["medium-height"]=>
int(300)
["medium_large"]=>
string(100) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613-768x984.jpg"
["medium_large-width"]=>
int(768)
["medium_large-height"]=>
int(984)
["large"]=>
string(101) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613-799x1024.jpg"
["large-width"]=>
int(799)
["large-height"]=>
int(1024)
["1536x1536"]=>
string(87) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-1536x1024.jpg"
["1536x1536-width"]=>
int(1536)
["1536x1536-height"]=>
int(1024)
["2048x2048"]=>
string(92) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/014-marathos-pros-agrafa-e1702993331613.jpg"
["2048x2048-width"]=>
int(973)
["2048x2048-height"]=>
int(1247)
}
}
["desc"]=>
bool(true)
["image_position"]=>
string(6) "center"
["image_link_to"]=>
string(0) ""
["open_link_in_new_tab"]=>
bool(false)
}
}
Agrafa is truly ‘untouched’ by mass tourism. If you visit, make sure you show respect for nature. And a few figures to illustrate just how inaccessible this beautiful area is. Marathos is about 5 hours by car from Athens, about an hour and a half from Karpenisi, just under 2 hours from the touristically developed Megalo Chorio and 50 minutes from the main village of Agrafa, where there are accommodation and catering facilities. This infrastructure is also available in Kerasochori, about an hour’s drive away.
Read also:
Discovering the ‘Tholos’ Tomb of Mynias
Vaskina: Pastoral Bliss on Mt Parnon
In the Path of Aristotle in the Kalloni Wetlands