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Argo can be seen at the port of Volos
Argo can be seen at the port of Volos
The Argonautic Expedition: The journey begins from Iolcus (Volos)
The Argonautic Expedition: The journey begins from Iolcus (Volos)
Jason and Medea by John William Waterhouse (1907)
Jason was the local hero of Iolcus (the ancient name of Volos). He was the son of Aeson, the king of Iolcus. His uncle, Pelias overthrew his brother and claimed the throne for himself. Jason's mother, Alcimede sent him to the Centaur Chiron to get educated. Jason stayed hidden in Pelion until he reached adulthood.
Many years later, Pelias was holding games in honor of the sea god and his alleged father, Poseidon, when Jason arrived in Iolcus and lost one of his sandals in the river Anauros while helping an old woman cross (the Goddess Hera in disguise) the river. Hera offered her help to claim back the throne of Iolcus. When Jason met his uncle, he asked him to bring back the Golden Fleece from Colchis in exchange for the throne. Jason happily accepted the quest.
Jason asked his cousin to construct Argo, the ship that took him and a group of heroes to Colchis. After a number of adventures, Jason and the Argonauts made it to Colchis, which was ruled by Aeetes. Medea, the powerful sorceress and daughter of Aeetes, fell in love with Jason and helped him bring back the fleece to Iolcus. Jason became the king of Iolcus, he married Medea and they ruled together for many years!
The famous explorer Michael Wood search the route of Jason and the Argonauts for the golden fleece.
The revival of Argo's journey
The revival of Argo's journey
In 2008 with the help of Volos Municipality and the Scientific Institute "Navdomos" Institute for research of ancient ship building and Technology, Argo was rebuilt and a group of modern Argonauts sailed from Volos.[CALENDAR DECK]
It followed the reverse route of 1200 nautical miles that covered according to the myth on its return, with equal technical difficulty in distances, time and circumstances with the mythical journey.
From Volos Greece to Albania, Argo revived its myth and returned safely to the port of Volos ready for another journey.
Details of the Argo Project
2002 Initiation of experimental program
2004 Initiation of experimental construction
Detection and collection of Pelion timber, Centaurs mountain
Usage of tools dated in ancient times
Construction of the keel
Compiling lateral parts
2006 Construction completion
Launching the ship
2007 Pilot voyages
2008 Journey from Volos 'caught' 28 ports, symbolically ended at the island of Odysseus to Ithaca.
[2009 Batumi Poti (Colchis)]
Places in Volos where you can relive the Argonautic Expedition
Places in Volos where you can relive the Argonautic Expedition
- Volos is the ancient city Iolcus and Jason's hometown. The fascinating myth of the Argonautic Expedition has survived over time and it has been passed from one generation to the other...No matter how old you are, I am sure you find the search for the Golden Fleece charming and you wish you had the opportunity to be one of the heroes of the Argonautic Expedition. In that case, I 've got good news for you, since there are places in Volos and in Pelion strongly associated with the Argonautic Expedition. So, if you wish you to walk in Jason's footsteps, you should visit these places in Volos and in Pelion:Dimini: The Mycenaean settlement that was discovered in Dimini has convinced many archeologists that ancient Iolcus was located there. Thus, it is possible that Jason was born in Dimini's megaron (palace)
- Portaria and Makrinitsa: The Centaurs, mythical half men and half horses creatures lived in the caves of Portaria and Makrinitsa. Jason was taught there by his teacher, the wise Chiron who kept him hidden to protect him from his uncle, king Pelias
- Anavros: Jason lost his sandal in Anavros when he helped the goddess Hera (who was disguised as an old lady) cross the river
- Pefkakia: Archeologists claim that the port of Iolcus was in Pefkakia (i.e. it means pine trees in greek). Argos, Jason's cousin, used timber from the area to built Argo. So, it is very possible that the Argonautic began from Pefkakia. The maritime tradition still exists, as many locals are mariners, fishermen and shipbuilders
- Argo: Argo, Jason' ship and Volos'emblem is at the port of Volos ready for another adventure...
- Afyssos: The beautiful Pelion beach Afyssos was named after the Greek verb "αφίημι" which means to leave. It's where the Argonauts were forced to leave Hercules behind, because he was too heavy and Argo was about to sink!
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