General information
Lying adjacent to Attica, this region is equally enjoyable winter
and summer.
The shores of the Euboean (Evoikos) and Corinthian (Korinthiakos) gulfs, the ski centre at
Parnassos, the wealth of archaeological sites at Orhornenos, Chaironia,
Plataiai, Thebes
and elsewhere are guaranteed to hold your interest.
The climate is dry and Mediterranean and the vegetation,
with the exception of the fertile plains of Thebes and Kopaida, is rather sparse among the
bare rocks.
In ancient times, Viotia (Boeotia) was called "tristhalatto" (three-sea'd) - a
name mentioned by Strabo - because it was washed by the two halves of the gulf of Euboea
and the Corinthian Gulf.
Livadia
Livadia (135 km. from Athens), the capital of the
prefecture, is built between two hills on the sides of a gorge through which flow the
springs of Erkina. On the top of one of the hills, Profitis Ilias, there is a
well-preserved 14th century medieval castle. In ancient times Livadia was known under the
name of Mideia and was the site of the famous Oracle of Zeus Trofonios. Scholars have
identified the location of the sanctuary of Zeus and the Oracle as being on Profitis
Ilias. Livadia is very fertile thanks to the abundant water in the region and the two
springs known in mythology as Lethe (Forgetfulness) and Mnemosyne (Memory), in the north
of the town at the site of Kria.
Easter here is celebrated with particular
colour. The
whole town becomes an open-air barbecue and everywhere spitted lamb, "kokoretsi"
and "splinandero" (tasty kebabs made of the innards), and local red wine are
served to one and all. Musical instruments, folk dances and all-night revels complete the
traditional Easter festivities at Livadia.
Araxova
Arahova is a mountain town little touched by
modern development. At an altitude of 940 metres, its quaint houses are built up the
slopes of Mt. Parnassos. This is a good place to buy handwoven fabrics,
"flokates" (rugs) and coloured shoulder bags, and you shouldn't miss trying the
local specialities in one of the town's many tavernas.
Arahova lies 35 km. west of Livadia and is a usual stop
for people headed for Delphi or the Parnassos ski centre. Most of the skiers, novices or
experienced, spend their nights in Arahova.
If you happen to visit Arahova in the spring, try to
attend the huge celebration that occurs on St. George's day on April 23rd. The
entertainment lasts three days and includes a race for old men dressed up in local costume
followed by feasting on roast lamb. Just 10 km. east of Distomo, a town with
important archaeological finds and an interesting museum, which played an important role
in the Revolution of 1821, one comes to the Byzantine monastery of Ossios Loukas,
whose 11th century mosaics and frescoes are among the finest in Greece.
Other Sights
Chaironia (Heronia). A Village of great
archaeological interest and Plutarch's birthplace, lies near the battlefield where in 338
BG Philip of Macedonia defeated the allied forces of the other Greek city-states. At the
entrance to town stands the Lion of Chaironia, symbol of courage and bravery.
Nearby one can see the ruins of the acropolis and
theatre, while the small archaeologlcal museum contains various objects found in the
vicinity. (Chaironia and Orhomenos).
Orhomenos, one of the oldest and richest cities of
ancient Greece, is today a low-lying, well-watered town. Worth visiting here are the
Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Virgin (9th c.) and a vaulted. Mycenaean tomb
known as the "Treasury of Minyes". The ancient acropolis has ruins of temples, a
theatre and other buildings. Don't leave Orhomenos without tasting its delicious trout,
renowned throughout Greece, or its similarly famous fragrant melons.
Thebes (Thiva) (87 km. from Athens), built in a fertile,
low-lying region, is very interesting archaeologically. It is said to have been founded by
the Phoenician King, Kadmos. Among the heroes of Thebes, which became famous mainly for
its adversities, is one of the most tragic figures of mythology, Oedipus, whose story
inspired the most illustrious greek tragedians, Aeschylus ("Seven Against
Thebes"), Sophocles ("Oedipus Rex", "Antigone") and Euripides
("Phoenician Women").
Thebes was also the birthplace of Hercules, known for his
wondrous feats. Apart from being the homeland of myths and heroes, the city also gave
birth to extraordinary men like the poet Pindar, the generals Epaminondas and
Pelopidas,
and others.
We recommend that you visit the superb archaeological
museum, the Mycenaean tombs in the area, the ruins of the temple of Ismenios Apollo and
the spring of Agii Theodori, known in antiquity as the "Fountain of Oedipus" -
Other sights worth noting are: the Fountain of Dirki at
the Frankish aqueduct, the Byzantine church of Agia Fotini, the catacombs of the early
Christian church of St. Catherine, the church of St. Luke the Evangelist in the town's
first cemetery, which contains a 13th century sarcophagus supposed to have held the
saint's body.
Using Thebes as a base one can visit Plataiai (Platees)
(18 km.) and Lefktra, the sanctuary of Kabeirians, the Mycenean Acropolis Gla
or Goulas on Mt. Ptoon, Tanagra, renowned for its terra cotta figurines, Vathi
Avlidas, Faros and Dilessi.
Two kilometres north of Vathi lie the ruins of
ancient Aulis (Avlida), where myth recounts that Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter
Iphigenia to the goddess Artemis. And one must not overlook the lovely beaches in the
region - Distomo Beach, Andikira, Agios Issidoros, Vathi Avlidas, Faros, Sarandi Beach -
which, Whether sandy or pebbly, offer superb bathing conditions.
Useful information
Mountain Climbing-Skiing
There is a refuge for mountain climbers at Gerondovraho
(alt. 1900 m.), 24 km. from Arahova, tel. (Greek Alpine Glub, Athens) 321.24.29. The
modern installations at the Parnassos ski centre (27 km. from Arahova), which is run by
the GNTO, will satisfy both experienced skiers and beginners. Tel. (0234) 22.493, 22.689,
22.694.
Special events
Livadia's traditional Easter celebrations; in Thebes, the
Clean Modany (beginning of Lent) presentation of the Vlach wedding (a costume farce); the
festivities connected with St. George's day in Arachova; in Chaironia, a drama festival in
honour of Plutarch in June; in Distomo the "beginning of summer" is celebrated
traditionally on Clean Monday.
How to get there
By intercity Bus (KTEL):
Terminal, 260 Liossion St. Thebes (15)*, for information call: 831.71.79, Aliartos (15)*,
Livadia (15), Arahova (2)*, call: 01 / 831.71.73.
(*) No. of departures per day.
By train:
From Larissa Station to Thebes (Thiva), Livadia, Aliartos, call the Greek Railway
Organization (OSE), in Athens, 01 / 5240646.
Local transport:
For trips (by bus or train) within the prefecture or for connections between Thebes and
Livadia and other cities outside Boeotia, call Livadia: KTEL (0261) 28336, OSE (0261)
28046, Thebes: KTEL (0262) 27512, OSE (0262) 27531
Useful telephones
Livadia
Area code: 0261, Town Hall: 28064, Police: 28551, Hospital: 22222(1)
Aliartos
Area code: 0268, Town Hall: 22243, Police: 22244,
Arahova
Area code: 0267, Town Hall: 31250, Police: 31333,
