Autumn in Skotina does not arrive as an announcement but as a set of small, certain gestures: the slow fall of spiny capsules,
the smoke of a wood fire hanging low above the orchard, the hush of leaves answering boots. I met Theoharis Stylos in the
village square opposite Saint George and, by the time I left his fields, I understood how a harvest can be a kind of remembering.

An estate that holds time

The property Theoharis showed me has been in his family since 1820. Two chestnut trees rise there like custodians of memory —
patient, deeply rooted, and generous. He spoke of a time when families made bread from chestnut flour, of the “bread tree”;
today the tree remains fruit and calendar: its fall opens the work of the week and the taste of an evening.

Sound and taste of the place

The soundscape is spare: chestnuts hitting dry leaves, a distant bell, the soft clink of wooden crates. Theoharis showed me the
tzoúna — the spiny capsule that guards the nut — and explained the rule of the harvest: when the capsule drops
and opens, the chestnut is ready. Markets chase size; here he smiled and advised me to seek the small fruits — that is where sweetness hides.

Trails and chapels — how a village is walked

Skotina’s network of footpaths is one of its quiet gifts. Trails thread groves and chapels so the walker is always near a doorway to rest, a bench, a sheltered spot to wait out sun or rain.

We stepped into a 15th-century chapel where the walls still breathe with old icons. Theocháris stood before the altar, reading by the glow of his phone’s light, while my small LED illuminated his face. Alone, he chanted a short hymn — a moment of quiet devotion suspended in the mountain air.

The Church of Christ the Savior stands on a small plateau northwest of Kato Skotina (altitude 200 m), at the site of an old settlement known as “Kotres.” It is dedicated to Christ and painted by an artist inspired by the 16th-century tradition. The roof was restored in the 1980s with the generous help of Greek expatriates from America — a quiet testament to how faith and memory keep traveling between lands.

Outside, Theocháris invited anyone reading this to come in October, when Skotina celebrates its harvest and history aloud — a village where trails, trees, and chapels still speak the same language of belonging.

Between mountain and sea

From certain ridges the view opens to the Thermaic Gulf and the silhouette of Platamonas Castle keeps its quiet watch.
Skotina spreads in three acts — upper village, lower village and shore — and that geography flavors the chestnut:
soil composition, microclimate, and sea-borne weather all leave a fingerprint on the fruit.

Harvest practice and preservation

Chestnuts are fragile: once gathered they ask for quick handling or thoughtful processing. Roasting holds them warm; drying
and milling them into flour gives them season-long life. Theoharis pointed to modern irrigation pipes that bring water to the
roots — a small technical hand helping the old trees continue to give. Again: seek the small fruit for genuine sweetness.

A local invitation — and an idea for curated experiences

At the walk’s end, Theoharis extended an open invitation to the Chestnut Festival
on Sunday, 19 October 2025. If you read this after that date, know that Skotina gathers each October to celebrate:
sometimes large, sometimes intimate, always rooted. Experience Pieria will attend to live the event and to bring the story to those
who cannot be there. If the day proves beloved, there is room to imagine curated, ticketed walks — small, exclusive experiences
designed for those who prefer depth over spectacle.

Video — the walk, unhurried (≈25 minutes)

I recorded the full walk — about twenty-five minutes of conversation, steps and the natural sound of the orchard.
The edit is patient: natural audio, breathing space, small silences. Watch the full walk below and listen for the line
that stopped me: “It is a miracle to live in nature.”

Practical tips for visitors

• Best season: October — chestnut harvest and mild weather.
• What to bring: light jacket, sturdy shoes for dirt paths, a small bag for tastings.
• Respect the fields: many groves are private but open — ask, taste, and leave no trace.
• Accessibility: paths vary; some routes are gentle, others steeper — check locally before you set out.
• Nearby: Platamonas Castle and the Thermaic Gulf are visible from many ridges — see local listing: The Castle of Platamon.

Giorgos Gizelis

Travel Writer & Founder of Experience Pieria

Exploring Pieria & Greece one story at a time — sharing authentic places, people and tastes.

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