Fthiotida

General Information on Fthiotida

The Prefecture of Fthiotida is one of the largest in Central Greece. It is washed by the Maliac Gulf to the east, and borders with Viotia and Fokida to the south, Etoloakarnania to the southwest, Evrytania to the west, Karditsa to the north and Magnesia to the northeast. The prefecture connects the eastern side of mainland Greece with the mountains of Parnassos and offers a huge variety of landscapes. Moreover, along the coast of Fthiotida are many popular summer resorts such as Kamena Vourla and Agios Konstantinos, which are very well organized for tourists.

The prefecture has a rich history and the famous battle between the Persians and the Spartan King Leonidas took place in the area of Thermopiles. There are also several other interesting sites spread out all in Fthiotida that are well worth visiting. In addition, there are also several thermal springs equipped with modern tourist facilities, among which the most well-known are located just a short distance away from the villages of Kamena Vourla, Ypati and Platystomo, where visitors may find a great selection of hotels and accommodation, as well as many taverns. The capital city of Fthiotida is Lamia. It is a very large city, built on the southwestern, pine-covered slopes of Mt. Othris near the Sperhios River. Towering above the city, a Frankish castle rises from the rubble of an ancient acropolis. Fthiotida is a popular region all year round, and offers many interesting places, as well as historical sites that are definitely worth visiting.

History of Fthiotida

The name “Fthiotida” dates back to ancient times. The modern prefecture was created during the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and was known as Fthiotis and Fokis until 1947, when the old southern part became the Fokis prefecture and the name changed to modern-day Fthiotida.

Prehistoric man traveled across this area following the river. Afterwards, various people came to inhabit the land: Dryopes, Pelasgians, Lelegae, Achaians, Hellens, Locrians, Dorians, Aenians, Malians; they built powerful towns, temples and acropolises. Some of them became financial, commercial, cultural and religious centres. The inhabitants were very special; some of them had divine blood running through their veins: Hercules, Deucalion, Pyrrha, Amphiktion, Achilles, Patroclus and others. According to Greek mythology, Defkalion and Pyrra, mythical ancestors of the Greek nation who had ruled the kingdom of Fthia, gave birth to Protogenia, Amfiktionas, and Hellinas on this land. This is the place where the first federation (Amfiktionia in Greek) was formed uniting people of the prehistoric times.

In 2000 BC, the invasion of the Aries-Indoeuropei occurred, ancestors of Achei, the first Greek tribe. They united with the remaining local residents, and settled in the valley of River Sperhios, establishing Fthia and Hellada, centers of the Mycenaean Civilization.

In 480 BC, in the land of Fthiotida clashed Spartans and Persians in the most famous battle of the period. Here, Leonidas and his soldiers, united with Thespieis, Lokrous and other Greeks, defended Thermopylae heroically. In 323-322 BC, the War of Lamia took place. Antipatros, a Macedonian general, became regent of Alexander’s empire, including Lamia, in 320 BC. Antipatros was defeated by Athenian leader Leosthenis and found shelter in Lamia, thus the war that followed was named after the city. After his fatal injury and death, his successor Antifilos stopped the siege. During the Byzantine era, in 995 AD, an event of high historical importance took place. Nikiforos Uranus, General of the Byzantine king Basil the Second defeated the Bulgarian army in the battle of Sperhios. Afterwards, the Catalans and the Franks arrived from the west and the Turks from the east.

During the Greek Revolution against Ottoman domination, local hero Athanasios Diakos and his comrades tried to spot the enemies marching to the south, resulting in the battle of Alamans on 22 April 1821. With the liberation of Greece from the Turks, Fthiotida became part of the new Greek State. During World War II, the people of the region resisted the German invasion and under the commands of Aris Velouhiotis and Napoleon Zervas blew up the bridge over the river Gorgopotamos, in order to seize the supplying of the German forces.

Towns & Villages in Fthiotida

Agios Konstantinos: This small coastal town, situated 49km from Lamia, lies at the foot of Mt. Knemis. The town is green with pine and olive trees and an imposing local church, after which it was named. The church of Agios Konstantinos is built on top of a preexisting Byzantine monastery as the town is built on top of an ancient town named Daphnous. Except for a tourist resort Agios Konstantinos is also a port, connecting the mainland with the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros. Swimming is possible in the area, but the best beach is at Asproneri.

Domokos: North of Lamia, the main road leads to Domokos. The city is built at a fine spot overlooking the Thessaly Plains. Domokos played an important role during the Greek National revolution against Turkish rule in 1821-1828. it was annexed to Greece in 1881, and a series of important battles took place here later, during the Hellenic-Turkish war of 1897, resulting in a high number of casualties. An Islamic monument is built on the spot, dedicated to the Turkish victims. This town is not a resort but if you are in the area, it is worth a visit. Old traditional buildings, a medieval castle, well preserved Turkish steam baths and a fantastic view over the whole of Thessaly Plains will reward you.

Kamena Vourla: This town is situated a couple of kilometers north of Agios Konstantinos, between the old National Road, on the seafront, and the nearby mountain. Kamena Vourla, during the 1980s, used to be one of the most cosmopolitan tourist resorts of Greece. However, it gradually deflated, and today is a quiet resort with many seafront cafes and taverns, hotels –mainly targeting summer spa bathers– and a steady number of visitors.

Ypati: This town is situated west of Lamia, and it is one of the most historical settlements of Central Greece. Ypati played an important role throughout Greek history. It is built on the slopes of Mt. Oiti, and it is the starting point for those who want to explore the homonymous national Forest, full of oak, plane trees and cypresses. The town is untouched by tourism, reminiscent of Greece of thirty years ago, before it was beautified. The hub of the village is the tree-shaded central square full of traditional cafes. Loutra Ypatis, identified with the town itself, is an important spa centre with tourist facilities. If you plan to explore Mt. Oiti, make a stop here; it is definitely worth it.

Makrakomi: This small market town is situated about 30km west of Lamia on the southern slopes of Western Othrys, at an altitude of 280m. The town prevails from a transportation, administration and financial point of view and offers visitors aesthetic pleasure, as it overlooks the Sperchios and its valley. It is home to history and civilization, as well as modern infrastructure and a picturesque atmosphere.

How to Reach Fthiotida

Coach: Lamia is well connected by KTEL coaches to most major Greek cities, like Athens, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Larisa and Volos.

Train: The city is also well served by several trains per day, connecting it to Athens, Thessaloniki and other destinations.