Municipality of Velventos
Macedonia’s living heritage meets captivating nature
The Municipality of Velventos, a small yet lively corner of Western Macedonia, awaits you to discover its landscapes, flavors, and hospitable locals. Picturesque, authentic, and absolutely stunning, it stretches between the lush slopes of the Pieria Mountains and the Aliakmon River, overlooking the serene Lake Polyfytos.
A small, picturesque and historical place in the Regional Unit of Kozani that will offer you unique moments of relaxation and contact with nature, culture, and locals — that is Velventos. It is the stone mansions that allow you to enjoy traditional Macedonian architecture, the churches that take you back to a past where art and faith thrived, and the folklore museums that reveal traces of the everyday life of “ordinary people” through the ages.
Velventos is also all about the wonderful opportunities for nature walks in the forest, the magical hikes in the Skepasmeno Gorge, and the strolls in the beautiful Katafygi, the birthplace of the legendary Alexis Zorbas. Velventos is also known for the murmuring waters that run through the verdant landscape, ensuring the true blessing that is the land’s fertility and gracing its visitors with the most beautiful landscapes.
Velventos is known for its popular peaches — the kind that fills your mouth with its exquisite taste and aromas, thanks to which it is globally renowned, but also for the excellent wines found in the local wineries, made from wine grapes grown between the Pieria Mountains and Lake Polyfytos. Let’s not forget the tsipouro and the traditional cuisine thriving in local cafés and taverns, as well as the moments of collective joy, celebration, and culture: the Fanoi and the Kourbani, the Peach Festival and the Sausage Feast, the Choir Festival, the concerts, and the traditional fairs.
Velventos is a different kind of travel experience, one you should not miss. It is an authentic destination that will bring you into contact with nature, people, and the Macedonian tradition.
Deep roots in earth and history
From the Roman Beneventum to the flourishing 19th century and today’s cooperatives, the long history of Velventos is inextricably linked to the agricultural production of its fertile land.
The toponym name reveals the history of the place — one that is long and turbulent. The Velventos appears in several variations over time: Velvento, Velvendos, Vilvinao… And the theories about its origin vary. The most popular one connects it with the Latin city of Beneventum in Italy, from where the first inhabitants of the settlement may have originated, in the wake of the Roman conquest of the area. Though the name is of Roman origin, the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its golden age is estimated in the Roman and early Byzantine years, with the archaeological sites at Paliochora, Gratsiani, Brava, Vasilara Rachi and Paleokastro testifying to a notable development. During your journey through the Municipality of Velventos you will encounter many churches dating from the 15th to the 19th century — monuments not only of religious faith, but also of the continuous active presence of different communities.
During the years of Ottoman rule, flax, silk, cereals and legumes brought wealth and prosperity to Velventos, leading also to spiritual flourishing — one that continued into the 19th century.
In the early 20th century, the place began to drastically shift its focus to fruit cultivation, with strawberries, peaches, and apples. In 1977, the first agricultural cooperative was founded, paving the way for a long history of cooperation and export activity. Since then, the cooperatives of Velventos have been a model of structure and development throughout the country.
Today, walking in Velventos, is not simply about discovering a beautiful small town; it reveals the daily life in a place that trained itself to utilize the wealth of its natural treasures through the strong tradition of a thriving cooperativism that continues strong to this day.
Personalities who left their mark
Velventos brought forth important people who marked the place and its history, such as the 19th-century scholar Charisios Papamarkou, the great benefactor of the region’s schools Zinonas Papanastasiou, the multifaceted folk hero Alexis Zorbas (real name: Georgios Zorbas), who inspired Nikos Kazantzakis for the monumental “Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas”, the martyr of the National Resistance Stamkos Klingos, who was hanged by the German occupation forces, as well as the significant local doctor Hippocrates Papageorgiou.
Experience the festive traditions of Velventos!
Fanoi and Kourbani, carnival celebrations around the fire and festivals featuring slow-cooked food served straight from the cauldrons. In Velventos, tradition is a deeply lived experience, as well as a celebration of each moment.
Everything you shouldn’t miss in Velventos
From the melodic voices of the International Choir Festival and the impressive spectacle of the Car Driving Skills Event, to the Peach Festival and Loukanikofagia, Velventos offers unforgettable experiences to visitors every year.
Nature, aromas and flavors – Discovering Velventos
Walking along the path of the triple waterfall and learning the secrets behind herbs and local flavors, outdoor experiences in Velventos connect you with nature like never before.
Hiking in the Skepasmeno Gorge
Looking for reasons to exercise and get in contact with nature? Hiking in the Skepasmeno Gorge epitomizes the very bliss of enjoying a natural environment of rare beauty while engaging in mild physical activity. You will start from a well-maintained path that crosses lush slopes and forested areas. Along the route, you will find spots to rest, catch your breath and let your gaze wander across the landscape. At the triple waterfall you will witness an impressive sight: the waters flow powerfully among rocky formations, creating a scene of natural grandeur. Continue into the interior of the gorge, at the base of the waterfall, where direct contact with the rich flora offers a sense of calmness and well-being. Note that the name “Skepasmeno” is linked to the stone channel for directing water to the plain, a mid-20th century construction of the residents of Velventos.
The wine experience
At the foothills of the Pieria Mountains, overlooking Lake Polyfytos, between the mountains and lake, vineyards that produce flavorful wines with unique aroma stretch out, and they are known for their rich body and admirable balance. The area’s distinctive climate gives its own character to Xinomavro, Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, Tsapournako, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Your visit to the wineries, which combine traditional stone architecture with modern production and aging facilities, will prove to be an excellent sensory experience, as well as an experiential revelation of the relationship between vine growers, winemakers and their vineyards. You will be guided through the vineyards and winemaking areas, observe the production process up close, taste selected labels and learn about the wine traditions of the area in an environment of natural beauty and authentic hospitality. Note that many wineries have specially designed spaces for events, tastings and seminars.
The peach experience
In the heart of Velventos, peaches are not simply a local product. They are a way of life, a key link between people, their land and their traditions. In a place where the art of caring for the soil is passed down from generation to generation, peach cultivation has evolved into an organized, innovative and agricultural activity of high-quality, one that stands out both in Greece and worldwide. The harvest season is a peak moment for the local community. You can wander around the lush estates of Velventos, learn about the production process, and participate in a tasting of fresh peaches straight from the field.
An immersive experience with aromatic plants
Mint, oregano, lemon balm, lavender, rose… Let the scents guide you to the farms of Velventos, where organic aromatic and medicinal plants are being cultivated. Through organized visits you will learn about their properties, collect herbs and partake in thematic workshops for the preparation of natural cosmetics and aromatherapy products. An experience combining well-being, nature, and knowledge, that you shall remember for a long time.
A journey into the flavor of Velventos
Surrender to the intoxicating aromas and enjoy the rich flavors of fruits created thanks to people’s dedication for their fertile land. The produce of the blessed soils of Velventos offers gastronomic experiences that bring you closer to nature and local traditions.
A fertile and fruitful land, which offers a unique produce through the toil of several generations. The range of fruits and vegetables of Velventos is truly rich, but the so-called “crown jewel” of its agricultural production is the renowned peach, a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)-certified product.
The peaches of Velventos are famous for their intense aroma and sweet taste — that is the reason why they have devoted admirers. Their exceptional quality is a result of the area’s unique microclimate, which combines the mountain air of the Pieria range, the waters of Lake Polyfytos and the rich, fertile soils. Excellent jams, compotes and sweets are also produced using the peach as a base, bringing something of summer’s joy into every season.
The gastronomy and wine experience
Gastronomy in Velventos constitutes an integral part of the local identity. Deeply rooted in the agricultural and livestock tradition of the area, local cuisine is based on raw ingredients of exceptional quality, fresh products, and authentic recipes that are being kept alive from generation to generation. It is a rural cuisine distinguished by simplicity, purity of flavors and respect towards the raw ingredients.
In recent years, the area’s up-and-coming wineries have given a distinctive tone to the local gastronomy, making use of the unique terroir of Lake Polyfytos and the Pieria Mountains for the cultivation of Greek and international grape varieties. The wines of Velventos have received distinctions and are recognized for their character and quality, blending heritage with a modern winemaking expertise.
