Village of Megalochori

The village of Megalochori (Albanian called "Katounti Imath") is the largest and most important village on the west coast of Methana. It is located on the mountainside of the Chelona, ​​Tsouka and Panagitsa volcanoes. It was probably founded around 1830. Its predecessor in the Middle Ages lay in the valley above at the Panagitsa chapel. In the village there is the Papadi church and a small village square with cafes. The inhabitants of the village used to deal mainly with olive and almond cultivation, as well as with wine fields. Megalochori is the successor to the ancient settlement of Methana west of it, which lay by the sea and around the ancient acropolis Paliokastro. An alternative country hotel "Arsinoe" was run in the former school building below the street a few years ago. The development of tourism on Methana will show whether it will be reactivated.

From Megalochori you can hike on the hiking route D (orange marking) into the valley of the Panagitsa chapel and to the volcano of the same name. It is approximately 45 minutes from the village to the chapel. At the old homesteads of the mountain goatherds, you can also hike to the right to the Panteleimonas chapel and come from there to Methana or take the hiking route C (green marking) to the central mountain area. A wonderful route!