The current paper is focused on the research and the depiction of the decorated upper stone relief in the entrances of churches, mansions and other buildings in different settlements of Pelion. Through the inquiry for the concept of "threshold" and in general the analysis of the area of the entrance, the interpretation of the ideological and symbolic offset of its form is sought. These various forms are often decorated with highly sculptural motifs. The engraved themes vary, but they also have several similarities. For this reason, a categorization of those themes was attempted. The aim of the research project is to highlight this symbolic framework before their loss, through the personal recording of the stone reliefs and their evaluation.
The research began with a keen personal interest in the recording of these sculptures and the rendering of their significance. Through personal visits and tours to the villages of Pelion, even in the furthest distances, the stone reliefs were scattered and mapped in most settlements. This resulted in a rich photographic record, as well as a list of their symbolic meanings. From the collection and filming of this material, other elements have been emerged concerning the stone relief decoration. Analyzing these data, there were similarities and differences in their number, agenda and technique of the engraved designs. All of this becomes more distinct and visible through a number of sketches depicting decorative motifs and their variations. Finally, the work is accompanied by a handbook where the symbols are briefly listed with a slightly different meaning as a guide for any use of them.
