DAVLIA (Δαύλεια) MUNICIPALITY OF DAVLIA ::. Parnassos, Viotia, Central Greece .::

Map of the Sourround Area

Levadia.

The beautiful capital of Viotia is built between two hills that are crossed by the river Erkina. On the top of one of the hills, of Prophet Elias, there is a well-preserved 14th century medieval castle. Levadia today is a modern city with many beautiful shops and intense nightly life. In the antiquity, Levadia was known under the name of Mideia which were the headquarters of the famous oracle of Zeus Trofonios. Later it was renamed in Levadia by the Athenian Levado, who settled the residents in the area. The two water springs Lethe (forgetfulness) and "Mnemosyne" (memory), the beautiful place of Kria, the watermills and the colours of the countryside and the flare of the city giving an air of beauty. You must see also the ruins of the Byzantine castle, that was extended by the Franks and the Catalans and the chapel of Prophet Elia, that is built near in the ruins of temple of King Zeus. Each September they are organised by the Municipality of Levadia the "Trofonia", important cultural events with theatrical and dancing representations, concerts, reports, happenings etc. The Easter in Levadia is celebrated with a very particular way. The city is transformed in a big outdoors barbecue with hundreds of lamps. Traditional music and dances, meat and wine are offered from the residents to every visitor.

Chaironia.

A village of important archaeological interest. Chaironeia was tributary of Orhomenos until the end of 5th century BC, then it constituted one from the eleven Boeotian provinces. Place of birth of Ploutarhos, is found near in the field of battle where at 338 BC. Philippos of Macedonia overcame allied forces of other Greek cities-state. At the entrance to town stands the marble Lion of Chaironia height 5.5m, funerary symbol of courage and bravery to the fallen members of the Theban Sacred Band, who were killed fighting heroically in the battle of Chaironeia against Philip II and his son Alexander the Great. Came in the light in the year 1818 in pieces and was restored on a plinth 3meter high. In the Roman era it was granted status of freedom. Remarkable also is the archaeological Museum of Haironia with considerably neolithic and prehistoric discoveries. Nearby one can see the ruins of the ancient theatre and the acropolis with strong fortified walls that are still well rescued from the neolithic years.

Οrhomenos.

One of the oldest and richest cities of ancient Greece is is today a low-lying small but beautiful town. It is worth to visit the Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Virgin of the 9th century, the Mycenaean vaulted tomb known as treasure of Minias (13th b.c), the ancient theatre, end of 4th century, the ancient acropolis, easter is situated the ancient Mycenaean palace with very rich mosaics, the ancient fortification walls around the ancient city, 2nd half of 4th century, various archeological discoveries and ruins of temples.

Arahova.

In altitude of 940m on the north slopes of Mount Parnassos it is built the traditional settlement of Arahova.The village has around 3.300 residents. Today, because of the rapid growth of ski centres of Parnassos but also because of the location of Arahova, the tourist sector has the first reason in the economy and development making Arahova one very important touristic resort with secular character and lot of popular architecture elements like: stone houses, slated narrow streets, vaulted doors, historical taps and beautiful churches, apotheosis of Stone. By poking through the numerous souvenir shops, one can find fine examples of folk art and woven articles, wool rugs, shoulder bags and flokatis the traditional carpets, but also try the traditional Formaela, a local cheese served fried and other local recipes. If you happen to visit Arahova in the spring, try to attend the huge celebration that occurs on April 23rd. "St. George's day".The festivities last for three days and include a race for old men dressed up in local costumes, followed by feasting on roast lamb.

Delphi.

For the ancient Greeks it was the center (navel) of the Earth. Here, Pithia the most famous oracle seer of antiquity was giving her oracles to the followers. From 6th until the 4th century the oracle experiences its bigger prosperity while the last oracle was given the 362 b.c. Each powerful city in the antiquity had its treasury at Delfoi. The philosopher Iraklitos(500b.c) sustained that the oracle neither withholds, neither reveals the truth but only insinuates it. It is worth to visit the temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, the kastalia springs and also the archaeological museum of Delphi which has many ancient discoveries. Also very beautiful are the panoramic views and the sort of mysticism that the environment creates. The city of Delphi is very touristic and offers a lot of comforts to its visitors with a remarkable nightlife. Accommodation is available rather easily.

Distomo.

A town with big historical importance for her important role in the revolution of 1821 but also at the second world war where it became the big slaughter of Distomo in 1944. Very Interesting is the museum of the town with discoveries from Amvrossos (current Distomo), from Antikira and Medeon (current Aspra Spitia) all cities of ancient Fokida. Very important also is the Byzantine monastery of "Osios Loukas" where it exists the corpse of the Saint. Built from the Byzantine emperor Romanos II in the year 946 and maintains rare mosaics that represent the strict and abstract rythm of Middle Bysantine art and fortification murals of the 11th century.

Κirιaκιo.

Kiriaki is located 45 km far away from Livadia southly-eastern of Distomo and Steiri, in altitude of 860 m. in the western slopes of the mount Elikonas. It constitutes one from the richer villages of Viotia in natural beauty and amazing panoramic views. Today it counts roughly 3.000 residents. In the current place of settlement it is placed the ancient Fokian city "Flygonio", where supposed that belong the ruins of the castle, the reservoirs and the sculptured graves that are saved in the top of "Paliokastro", a hill in the westwards of the settlement. In the top of "Paliokastro" the visitor has the possibility of panoramic views of the Corinthian gulf and mount Parnassos which dominates in the north side. The locality of "Arvanitsa", particularly appreciable for the valley and the firs. The locality "New Switzerland" offers a astonishing combination of mountain and sea. Remarkable also is the beautiful square of Kiriaki which is offered for a small attitude.

Εptalofos.
(Αgoriani)

Is situated on seven small hills (from there and the name Eptalofos=seven hills), in the north-western stiff green forest of Parnassos with age-old firs, platans, chestnuts and an altitude between 850-1000m. Eptalofos or "Agoriani" is one of the most beautiful places of Greece, with clean air and dew in the summertime, and lot of snow in the winter where the ski centre is a popular destination. Eptalofos is so peaceful and has lot of picturesque springs mainer is Vasiliki, well known for its digestive properties. Eptalofos has unique access to the National Park as well as in the international Mountaineering, trekking path Ε4 for conducted tours, hiking, observations and studies. Worth to visit also the cave "Korikion Antro",the "Vromovrisi" and "Pirgaki" for their panoramic views. The unique natural beauties "Eptastomos" and the waterfall of "Matesis", which is 50-60m high.

Τithorea.
(Velitsa)

The village of Τithorea according to Pafsanias, came about from a hill side of Mount Parnassos with that name, known also as Velitsa, impresses the visitor with her marvellous environment, with its sensational green forest, unique of type in all the prefecture of Fthiotida. Τithorea is the centre of path E-65, next to the eminent gorge of "Kahala" with rocks in various shapes and lots of caves, where the visitor has the possibility of admiring the the old watermill of "Mill of Church", through a magical pathtrace. Its ancient fortification walls and its castle plus its privileged geographic location, revealed Tithorea as the more powerful ancient centre of the zone. For this reason precisely, the simultaneous roughness but also sweetness of her ground, Odysseus Androutsos in the 1821 set up here his headquarters, in his famous cave, visible today in the visitor.

Κato Τithorea.

It is situated in the confines of prefecture of Fthiotida with Viotia in the 15th km of old National road Athens-Lamia, north of the mountainous volume of Parnassos in the valley of river Kifissos and has a population of 4902. It were presented in her historical way with the names "Kalivia" and "kifissochori". Modern city today, where the visitor has the occasion to meet nice and big parks as that of Agios Dimitrios in the main square, to visit the old stone bridge and to admire closely the traditional laboratory of Popular Art. The chapel of Agios Charalabos with marvellous sourround space and the chapel of Agia Paraskeui. Further is worth to see an old antique train engine at the rail station of Kato Tithorea.

Polidrosos.
(Souvala)

Τhe village of Polidrosos has 1500 residents and it is a appreciable peaceful touristic resort, situated in a dense forest of black pine in the foot of mount Parnassos. The village is the continuation of built-up of the above Souvala the residents of which afterwards the earthquake 1870 were forced to go down to the plain. It has abundant fresh waters, healthy climate and beautiful view to the basin Lilaias-Gravias. In a distance of 2km westwards founded a Byzantine monument of big value (6th-7th century) the temple of Paleopanaya with infrequent architecture. Close around are situated the springs of the river Kifissos and ruins of the ancient city of Lilaia while advancing more eastward, the visitor meets traces of the citadel of the ancient city of Erohos referred to by Homer and Hirodotos.

Αmfiklia.
(Dadi)

Amfiklia or Dadi is located at the foothills of mount Parnassos in the prefecture of Fthiotida. It abstains 30Km from Davlia and 50km from Livadia. It is reported by Pausanias while Hirodotos marks its complete destruction. Known in the antiquity with the name of Ofitia and later as Amfikaia. Pafsanias also informs us of the third name for the town, which was Amfiklia. This was during the period of 346 BC, after the rule of the Amfictions. Later at the Byzantine years, it was renamed in Dadi (Firebrand=I burn). The name Dadi was maintained up to 1915 where it was also renamed back in Amfiklia. Today it is a village that you will charm you at the first moment. Behind the modern cementitious profile are hidden elements of unique popular architecture: Neoclassical stone houses, slaty narrow roads, historical taps and beautiful churches.

Αntikyra.

Antikyra is situated in the south-western corner of Prefecture Viotia in the North side of Corinthian Gulf. Important coastal city of ancient Fokida and well-known in the antiquity for the medical herb against depression and epilepsy, "ellevora". Its first denomination is Kyparissos and with this name partecipates in the Trojan War. Later were renamed in "White Houses" from the shine of the marbles of the imposing buildings where embellishing the ancient and paleochristian city. Its actual official name come to the scene in 1929. Up to 1960 was a small outport. Nowadays is a modern small town with modern infrastructures, hospitality and amusements, a small touristic port, beautiful beaches, fresh local fish, cultural growth and important archaeological findings as the temple of Neptune and the royal church of the Bishopric Antikyras with mosaic flooring of 6th a.c.