Volos History

Strategically, Volos began it gradual expansion from the 1830’s, with joint forces of the talented Mt Pelion craftsmen and other inhabitants of the surrounding regions.  Streets were built parallel with the sea and were filled with consumer shops, workshops and prestige residences.  It was this increased activity which, in turn, led to the construction of the railway, thus connecting Volos to the towns of Thessaly.  This, combined with the vast expansion of the main port, created the New City of Volos.  This evolution reached  a peak from 1871 onward, when Volos became the only port of the newly expanded Greek State close to the annexed territories of Central Greece.

Volos and its gradual economic achievements made room for construction at its finest.  It had begun to fill with monuments and Neo-Classical buildings combined with more modern designs, which in turn led to famous architects completing the perfect visual filling the area with grandiose Churches, known today by the name of their creators. 

World War I played a significant role for Volos.  Substantial capital was induced by the prospering field of metallurgy, as War Tanks were created and traded in dramatic volume.  On an International level, Volos became known to the export industry for its Olympus Cement factory, also created during the inter-war period.

In 1955, powerful earthquakes hit the mainland destroying all of the creations in their enterity.  This is also the reason behind the city's new characteristics regarding its appearance.  Forced by nature, everything had to be re-created from the ground-up, hence the modernized visuals in the City today.