Dilyana Ivanova

Central Greece is slightly underestimated by tourists, but what follows is an idea of how to spend a pleasant weekend, without being disturbed by crowds of tourists.

Lamia is situated in Central Greece, on the main road between Salonika and Athens. According to the 2001 census, population of the city is 50 551 people.  With its own University, airport, and good sporting facilities, Lamia is the perfect center of continental Greece. The railway system has two stations around the city. One of them is rather old and not so frequently used, except for very busy days. The new one on the other hand is 5 km. away from the city center, and is a crucial junction for the Athens – Salonika rail line. The coach station is very near to the center, and transportation is provided daily – even on holidays.

Ever since the medieval period, starting from the eight Ecumenical in 869 AD, Lamia has been called Zetounion, with the name staying in use until the beginning of the XIX century. One of the theories regarding the name suggests that the root is Arabic (Zeitun – olive oil), or from the Slavic word sitonion (land above the river).

Lamia captures people’s attention with its tiny squares and visitors stop to make pictures rather often, truly enchanted by the peacefulness of the town and it’s cheerful population. You can regularly stop at one of the lovely bakeries around town, but be prepared to try everything – sweets here are made using ancient recipes, containing even traces of pepper and orange rind jelly. But what Lamia is mostly famous for is its grilled lamb. Especially during holidays, it’s a family tradition to prepare a full table of meals and one can stand a few miles away from the town and still smell the charming “scent” of the seasonings, the bread and the lamb.

Historic landmarks in Lamia include the archaeological museum and the two ancient castles. In the museum, visitors can find artifacts dating back to the fifth millennium B.C. There, one can also here the story of how apostles Paulos and Lukas visited Lamia on their way from Corinth to Macedonia. Citizens of the region are thought to be one of the first preachers of Christianity, evidence dating back to 52 AD. It is also worth visiting the Folklore museum and some of the plays at the Municipal Theater.

On the rocky hill above the town is where an ancient castle is situated, while on the other side of the hill one can visit the second of the ancient castles, dating back to the beginning of the XVIII century, and subsequently turned into the Church of Agios Loukas.  

The first epic battle at the Thermopylae, where the king of the Spartans Leonidas I died, took place somewhere near the Lamia of today. The warm mineral springs that gave Thermopylae its name can still be found at the feet of the hills near the tall cliffs. Crossing the Balkan Peninsula from North to South and back, around the East coast is impossible without using the passage. That is why it has been the area of many battles during the years.

At this exact place, in 481 B.C., the war between the Greeks and Persians started. On the side of the Greeks, Leonidas I led a small army of Spartans against the significantly multifold Persians, lead by their eminent leader Xerxes. Leonidas’ name stands until today for unmatched bravery, strength, and self-sacrifice.  Even though he lost the doomed battle, his glory spreads and grows with time.

On the already mentioned hill where the monument is, you can also find Simonides of Ceos’ epitaph, carved in stone and placed on the top.

 ..Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε

κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι...

“…O, stranger, tell the Spartans that we

lie here, obedient to their edicts. “

 In Antiquity, the passage has been extremely narrow, just around 14 meters in its tightest part between the sea and the near-vertical rocks. Nowadays, flows of the Sperchios river have widened the passage from 2 to 5 kilometers. The narrow part has been moved East, meaning that the battle of Sperchios, between the Bulgarian king Samouil and the Byzantine emperor Nikiphor Uranus in the X century AD has taken place further North. On the other hand, the battle of Alamana during the Greek revolution of 1821 and the battle of Gravia have taken place nearby, but not exactly at the Thermopylae.

 Next to the Thermopylae is a parking, a petrol station, and a lovely tavern where visitors can dine. We recommend the home-made sausage, which is the house’s special.

Kamena Vourla

The Lamia surroundings are filled with interesting places, and after having all the history lessons at the Thermopylae, we will direct you to one of the most well-know spa-centers in Greece, which is just meters away from  the Salonika- Athens highway. Located in the middle of Maliakos gulf and some thirty kilometers away from Lamia, the mineral springs of Kamena Vourla are unique to the entire country. Loads of people can be seen around, coming to take a brake and use the water’s healing qualities.

The mineral waters emerge with a very strong flow, coming from a number of sources with the same chemical composition, but different temperature and radiation. The therapeutic centre here is recommended for the treatment of gout, osteoporosis, arthritis of the knee and hip joints, rheumatism, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, tendon and muscle conditions, neuralgias, psychoneurosis, and a number of gynecological conditions, bronchial asthma and allergies. Even drinking Kamen Vourla’s water can help visitors with their renal conditions, digestive problems and liver and gall diseases.

 The town has been awarded the “Blue ribbon” by the International Ecological Organization. The coastline and the seawater are extremely clean. A number of investments have been directed to Kamena Vourla, with the infrastructure and the hotel and restaurant businesses prospering. There are small hotels and B&B’s almost everywhere, and one can easily find good vacation opportunities at an excellent price.