Region of Central Greece TOURISM CULTURE GASTRONOMY
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Region of Central Greece TOURISM CULTURE GASTRONOMY #heartofGreece VIOTIA Contents 4 Regional Unit of Viotia_Authentic & warm 12 Regional Unit of Euboea_A destination for every season! 24 Regional Unit of Evrytania_Life in the … heights! 30 Regional Unit of Phthiotis_The place of myths & history 42 Regional Unit of Phocis_The Place of Contrasts! 48 Products with Protected Designation of Origin 2 REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE 3 VIOTIA [01] [02] Parnassus is also famous in the entire country for its Ski Resort, the largest and most organised in Greece, with 21 ski slopes, 7 ski routes, 5 connecting trails and 4 slopes suitable for beginners. It covers an area of 34 km. Start descending at an altitude of 2,260 meters until you reach the 1,640 meters! Explore the Viotian land! Viotia is an attraction not only for the winter months. With Arachova and the ski resort stealing the show, it is considered as one of the most popular all-year-round destinations in Greece. In an area of a few kilometers, the visitors can choose among mountain, sea, picturesque villages, hiking trails, tours in the area, historical and cultural monuments and everything else they wish for, from experiential activities in nature to nice family experiences! Of course, Arachova [02,03] has a prominent place in the area. It is the most famous and cosmopolitan village not only in Viotia but also in Greece, located in the foothills of mount Parnassus. Get lost in the quaint alleys of the area, enjoy your meal at the famous AUTHENTIC & WARM taverns and gourmet restaurants, drink a coffee, enjoy a drink or Viotia, on the southern part of Central Greece and brimming cocktail and have fun at its hangouts. with beautiful, picturesque villages, mountain and sea, sights, natural beauties, historical monuments and mythical heroes, promises the visitor [03] unique experiences! Mount Parnassus [01], one of the highest mountains in Greece, stands majestically on the north part of Viotia, with its National Park is one of the oldest ones in Greece, hosting a rare flora and fauna. According to the mythology, Parnassus was dedicated to Apollo and the Corycian Nymphs. Parnassus National Park is packed with dense vegetation. It is mostly covered in spruce and cedars, has rare indigenous plants and is home to a great number of wild animals and birds. The visitor has also the chance to see wonderful natural landscapes and sights, such as sinkholes and caves! 4 REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE VIOTIA a tent; the combination of music and camping in the mountain is a unique experience! Climb Paliokastro hill, the panoramic views will take your breath away! Another mountainous place in the slopes of Elikonas, very close to Kyriaki, is the picturesque Aghia Anna village. On the way between the two villages you will find Arvanitsa forest, a retreat forest and a wonderful alpine landscape worth making a stop. If you have time, a visit to the coastal settlements on the nortern coastline of the Corinthian Gulf is a beautiful experience. Thebes [08] is another important town in [04] [05] Viotia and one of the oldest towns not only in Greece, but also in the entire world. According to The picturesque Antikyra [05] settlement mounts Parnassus and Elikonas at an altitude of 160 the legend, Thebes was built by Cadmus, it was is nestled in the shade of Parnassus on the one meters. Start your tour from the neighbourhoods the birthplace of Hercules and the hometown side, and right by the sea on the other. With of the town with the interesting, distinctive of Oedipus, as well as many other historical and its beautiful waterfront lined with cafes and architecture, visit the Historical and Ethnological mythical figures. Thebes also combines mountain fish taverns, it is the ideal destination for a Museum, the Museum of Old Professions and the and sea, lush mountains mounts Elikonas and summer trip. Walk along the waterfront with Clock Tower, which was built during the Francocracy Kitheronas, wonderful valleys, forests, trails in the the Lighthouse being its trademark, enjoy the and is one of the most characteristic spots of the slopes of the mountains, “secret” coves a stone's panoramic views from Prophet Elias, and visit town. Climb the hill of Prophet Elias to see the chapel throw from the town, ancient coastal settlements St. Isidoros, famous among locals and visitors of the Prophet, marvel at the old Castle that was with crystal-clear waters, and Iliki [06], a for its beautiful beach of the same name, reconstructed during the Byzantine Empire and the natural lake, situated in an impressive, beautiful within just 2km from the main settlement. Francocracy (it is one of the 4 Catalan-style castles setting and also an important wetland. in Greece), as well as Trofonio Oracle in the foothills [06] The archaeological and historical interest of Distomo [07] is a picturesque small town of the hill, one of the most important oracles of the definitely worth visiting. In the centre of the ancient times. Complete your tour with a walk to the [07] [08] town there is a monument of World War II chapel of St. Jerusalem in the cave of Zoodochos Pigi. and it is located within striking distance from The mountain villages, within relatively short distance Arachova (15km). from Livadeia, are ideal destinations for a trip. Among them is picturesque Kyriaki[08], built at an altitude With the urban landcape characterised by of 720 meters in the western, verdant slopes of mount natural beauties and sights, Livadeia [04], Elikonas. It is one of the most beautiful mountainous the capital of Viotia, with a history dating back villages in the Viotian land. Visit Arvanitsa and look to the ancient times, is a town built between for the program of the top summer musical festival. Buy 6 REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE 7 VIOTIA Visit a true paradise on earth with impressive waterfalls, the Petra Waterfalls [14]. They were named after the neighbouring Petra village, with marvellous stone houses, located in the foothills of Elikonas at an altitude of 200 meters, close to Aliartos. The waterfalls are a true gem, a wonderful picture that looks like it was taken from a fairy tale. With a height of 25 meters,, it is the highest natural waterfall in Greece, but its most impressive feature is that, as the waters fall from the mountain slopes, they stagnate in the rocks and then they continue their impetuous flow, resulting in two smaller waterfalls and creating a natural landscape [09] [10] of unrivalled beauty. the area is traced back for centuries. The cultural and [11] [14] The Viotian Kifisus is the biggest river archaelogical monuments are of major value, like the in the eastern part of Central Greece, Kabeirion Ancient Theatre [09], the Mycenanean traversing the fertile valley between mounts palace of Thebes or Cadmeion, the Fountain of Dirki, Kallidromo and Parnassus. Kifisus is also one connecting the myth of the foundation of the town by of the perfect places in Greece and Europe Cadmus with the one of Dirki, wife of Lycus, King of Thebes. for Water Skiing, thanks to the good weather Among the most important sanctuaries of ancient Thebes is conditions and the reduced intensity of winds the Temple of Ismenius Apollo, built on the hill of the same in the area. name, while Plataies is another renowned archaeological site, famous for the Battle of Plataea that took place in 479 The Spring of the Charites [15,19] in B.C. between the Greeks and the Persians. Due to this great [12] Orchomenos is among the most important archaeological value, the town features also an equally places in the wider area, brimming with rich important museum, the Archaeological Museum of vegetation and crystal-clear waters. According Thebes [12,13], considered as one of the most important to the mythology, it was the birthplace of museums in Greece. daughers of Zeus, and during the ancient times, it was a place of worship for the Three Natural sights Graces (Charites), hence the name of the Erkinas river, trademark of the town, passes through the springs. The Charites used to wash Goddess entire town and was named after Erkina, the Nymph that Aphrodite in Akidalia spring, they perfumed lived in the fountain of the same name. The famous springs her and clothed her with the “ambrosian veil” of Krya [10,11], with their waters flowing from the river, [13] woven by themselves. create probably the most beautiful setting in the area. It is a breathtaking landscape brimming with burbling waters, stone Close to the springs, on the western slope bridges, plane trees, watermills and waterfalls. Close to the of mount Akontio, in the burbling waters of springs is the stone theatre of Krya. Melanas river, traversing Orchomenos, in 8 REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE REGION OF CENTRAL GREECE 9 VIOTIA the summer and winter swim and grow the famous trouts of GASTRONOMY Orchomenos, at a stable temperature of 14 ºC. Especially, in September they have a field day, with the Trout Festival. Tips TRADITIONAL Cultural & archaeological monuments PRODUCTS & LOCAL CUISINE The Monastery of St. Luke [18], a UNESCO World Heritage Site is built in Stiri village, on a slope of mount From the fine local meats of Elikonas, also known as the "Mountain of the Muses. It is Thebes and Livadeia to the one of the most important monuments of art, architecture famous Formaela Cheese and history, as this is where the beginning of the Greek War from Arachova and the unique of Revolution in Central Greece was officially declared in trout of Orchomenos, Viotia March 27 1821.