Old Plagia: A Ghost-Village Echoing Beauty and Resilience

Old Plagia in Aetolia-Acarnania offers a unique experience for those exploring the natural beauty of western Greece, whether in the mountains or along the Ionian coast.

The village, now abandoned, stands amidst natural splendor that peaks in spring, with blooming almond trees and other native plants highlighting the distinct atmosphere of the ruined buildings. The major earthquake of 1966 and the subsequent storms caused significant damage, forcing residents to temporarily leave. Although there was an attempt to return around 1970, the government ban on tobacco cultivation ultimately led to the permanent abandonment of the village and the relocation of its residents to present-day Plagia at “Kastrí.”

The remnants of the old village, with its two churches, central fount, and the ruins of the old olive mill, speak of its more prosperous past, with traditional stone walls and scattered roof tiles evoking an island-like beauty in this mountainous setting.