Fthiotida
FTHIOTIDA. A land of towering mountains
and beautiful beaches, the prefecture of Fthiofida (Phthiofis)
has all the prerequisites for a delightful
holiday all year round. Here you may chose to swim in isolated
beaches or well known summer resorts, you can wander among
mountain villages "drowned" in plane and oak trees
or enjoy winter sports in modern skiing resorts and let your
memory revive heroic moments of the Greek history (at Thermopylae,
Alamana or Gorgopofamos). Add to the picture several thermal
springs equipped with modern tourist facilities (Ypati, Kamena
Vourla, Platystomo) and you can have an idea of the vacational
possibilities offered by the area.
Lamia (220 km. from Athens), a bustling commercial city
and capital of the prefecture, is built up the southwest,
pine-covered slopes of Mt. Ofhris near the Sperhios river.
Dominating the city from a hill above it, a Frankish castle
rises from the stones of the ancient acropolis. On another
hill stands the 18th century church of Agios Loukas (around
late 19th-early 20th century) with a magnificent view of
the Maliac Gulf and beyond to the shores of Euboea. The Lamia
museum has an interesting archaeological collection of Classical
and Hellenistic finds, pottery, sculpture, statues, and Geometric
figurines. The municipal buildings, hotels and taverns are
centred around the city's four main squares, each of whom
has its own distinctive feature: the cathedral, plane trees
and fountains, the statue of the Revolutionary hero Athanasios
Diakos, the statue of the Greek evzone.
During your stay here, make it a point to try the local home-made
egg noodles, "kourambiedes" (crushed almond cookies),
and "trachana" (a farm of dumpling).
The historicThermopylae pass lies 18
km. southeast of Lamia. The statue of Leonidas and
the cenotaph
of his 300 Spartans remind one of the heroic 480 BC battle.
The famous since antiquity thermal springs of Thermopylae,
bubbling quite near, have made an important resort out of
the village. At a distance of 3 km, stands the historic bridge
of Alamana. Kamena Vourla, to the north, is a popular spa
resort, renowned for its therapeutic waters and dry, healthy
climate. The coastal towns of the area, Agios Konstan. tinos,
Arkitsa - linked by ferry with Edipsos on Euboea - as well
as the lovely beaches of Aspronerio, Agios Serafim and Agios
Nikolaos are pleasant places to spend a holiday especially
for those who like swimming and dining on fresh fish.
There it a magnificent beach at Livanates, which also has
an old church, Agios Theodoros. Before making the turn for
Atalanti, it's worth stopping at its harbour Skala, at Malesina,
with the little coastal settlement of Agios Theologos to
leeward, and Martino, famed for its delicious "myzithra" cheese
(similar to ricofta).
.
Talantonini opposite Skala, is a small picturesque island. Next stop is Atalanti,
commercial and agricultural centre of the area. The catacombs of St. Athanassios
at the heart of the town are of special interest. Further west of Atalanti
one can visit Elatia and Tithorea, wooded areas of archaeological interest,
as well as Amfiklia, one of the starting points for going up to the Parnassos
ski centre. West of Lamia there is one of the most historical towns of Central
Greece, Ipati. Built on the slopes of Mt. Oiti, where the homonymous national
Forest, among oak and plane trees and cypresses. The spot offers also ,a panoramic
view to the sea. Ipati has played an important role at all eras of Greek national
history. Loutra Ipatis, identified with the town itself, is an important spa
equipped with hotelier and tourist installations.
Moni Agathonos (a monastery of the 15thw century) lies at
7 km from Ipati and is considered one of the most illustrious
monuments. Apart from valuable historical relics the Museum
of Oiti Natural History is also roofed here. The beautiful
villages of Mt Oiti, such as Pavliani covered with fir and
plane trees ofter a retreshing shelter during hof summer
months. Makrakomi is a market town and traffic centre built
in Sperhios valley upon the ruins of the ancient homonymous
city. Well known for its thermal springs is the village of
Platystomo (34 km west of ,Lamia). North of Lamia, on the
way to Domokos, which is a historic town with a fine view
over Thessaly valley, a side road leads to the ruins of ancient
Melitaea; not far from here is built the Byzantine Monastery
of the Holy Trinily (Agia Triada). Worth visiting are also
the coastal town Stilida, the tranquil fishing hamlets Karavomilos
and Achladi and finally the beaches of Pelasgia and Glifa.
Health Spas
Thermopiles: Sulphurous hot springs recommended for rheumatic
ailments, gynaecological problems, rheumatoid arthritis
Kamena Vourla: Radioactive hot springs recommended for chronic
rheumatism, osteoarthritis, geut, neuritis, hormonal complaints
Loutra Ipatis: The chemical composition of this water is
rare and contains a great amount of carbonic acid. Baths
at these springs are advised for vascular diseases, hypertension,
coronary insufficiency, heart ailments, endocarditic, dermatological
disorders, ailments of the peripheral nerves and muscles Platistomo:
The waters of these springs are recommended for stomach and
skin ailments.
Mountain Climbing
The Greek Mountain Climbing and Skiing Association bas organized
refuges on Mt. Oiti (at Trapeza, alt. 1,800 m.), Grammeni
Oxia (at Karvounblaka, alt. 1,700 m.) Vardoussia (at Pitimaliko,
alt. 1,750 m.). Association office in Lamia. Between Grammeni Oxia, Vardoussia and Giona there is a marked
path (E4) of the European Mountain path network.
Source:Greek
National Tourist Organisation. 
