Village of Portaria, on Mount Pelion - Illustration from Edward Dodwell's Views of Greece

Village of Portaria, on Mount Pelion is an illustration from the collection Views in Greece from Drawings published by Edward Dodwell in 1821.

The village of Portaria, nestled on the verdant slopes of Mount Pelion, is a perfect example of traditional Greek architecture. Its cobbled streets and stone houses offer an idyllic and picturesque setting, recalling the rustic and authentic charm of mountain life.

The literal transcription of the notice accompanying this plate is reproduced below:

Mount Pelion is adorned with about twenty-four villages, or rather considerable and wealthy towns, most of which are inhabited by bold, enterprising, and athletically built Greeks. Portaria, which is one of the most considerable of these villages, is a short distance from Molo, and is situated at a certain height on the southern flank of the mountain, amidst a profusion of trees of various kinds, which form bowers and arbors where one enjoys delightful shade and coolness, while the streets are watered by numerous streams which wind under the branches of large plane trees, embellished by trellises of vines, presenting an immediately enchanting aspect, and points of view of great richness. Nature shines in all its splendor and in its most fantastic forms, in this place of delight for the voluptuous man, of exaltation for ardent heads, and of repose for those in need of relaxation. No place in the world can awaken the imagination, and recreate the view with a greater profusion of charms. The memories of antiquity besiege every step one takes, and abundance seems to spring forth instantly, spontaneously and almost without cultivation, from the bosom of this happy soil.

Mount Pelion, which is considered one of the greatest Greek mountains, rises to a great height from the Pagasean Gulf, where it ends at Cape Sepias towards the southeast, while at an opposite point it forms its junction with Mount Ossa.

The poetic imagination of the ancient Greeks left the majestic peaks of Pelion surrounded by an imperishable glory of mythological wonders and classical charms. The mighty shadows of giants and centaurs still seem to hover over this sacred soil, whenever it is trodden by a traveler whose soul has tasted the pleasures of study, and is susceptible to the charms of antiquity. He who has once experienced the powerful illusion which such an enchanting locality gives rise to, finds it difficult to lose the memory of it. Such an alluring, such a magical aspect seizes his faculties, remains engraved there for a long time, and after having charmed his eyes, it still delights his memory.