Thessaly region natural environment
I. Regional Unity of Larisa
a.The Tempi Valley
Tempi Valley is situated in the area between the mounts Olympus and Kissavos (Ossa), and is run by the river Pinios. The river flows through the mountains and the valley, to finally flow into the Aegean sea.
Some historians have argued that in the distant past Thessaly was an enormously big lake, which literally split in two after a huge earthquake and emptied its waters into the sea. The result was the formation of two mounts instead of the one that was previously there, with the vale of Tempi in between.
According to a myth, the god Apollo was in love with Daphne, the daughter of Pinios (Peneus). In order to prevent Apollo from catching his daughter, Daphne’s father turned her into a plant (daphne means bay in Greek) that is very common in the area. It was in this same valley –according to the myth- where the Greek god Pan used to chase the dryads and the nymphs.
Some historians have argued that in the distant past Thessaly was an enormously big lake, which literally split in two after a huge earthquake and emptied its waters into the sea. The result was the formation of two mounts instead of the one that was previously there, with the vale of Tempi in between.
According to a myth, the god Apollo was in love with Daphne, the daughter of Pinios (Peneus). In order to prevent Apollo from catching his daughter, Daphne’s father turned her into a plant (daphne means bay in Greek) that is very common in the area. It was in this same valley –according to the myth- where the Greek god Pan used to chase the dryads and the nymphs.
The bridge of PINIOS RIVER:
The river PINIOS & its' valley on Tempi
Pinios or Pineios (Πηνειός) was the father of the nymph Daphne according to the greek mythology.
See more about the story of Appollo and Daphne -in a humoristic way HERE.
Unfortunately the water of the river is not very clean due to the pollution from chemical pesticides which are used in the fields of the Thessalian valley.
See more about the story of Appollo and Daphne -in a humoristic way HERE.
Unfortunately the water of the river is not very clean due to the pollution from chemical pesticides which are used in the fields of the Thessalian valley.
The church of Agia Paraskevi in the Tempi valley which accepts hurderds of visitors every year
The village Ampelakia near Tempi Valley
The Historical Community Of Ampelakia is close to the valley of Tempi, 5 km from the highway at the foothills of Kissavos. Ambelakia became known around the world,for the foundation in the year 1778 of the first cooperative in the world, called "Common Company of Ambelakia", which involved the production, processing, dyeing and trade of red thread . The rich tradition of the village is reflected in the unique architecture of the mansions and cultural evidence preserved in the museums of the village.
b. Olympus mountain
Olympus is the highest mountain of Greece. It lies between Thessaly and Macedonia. Its highest peak, Mitikas, rises to 2,917m. high.
The mountain is universally known from Greek mythology as it was said to be the home to the 12 gods of Ancient Greece.
Olympus stands out for it's rich flora and fauna and is the first area in which a special protection regime was established 50 years ago, as it was declared a National Forest in 1938.
In 1981 UNESCO declared Olympus an MAB Biosphere Reserve.
The mountain is universally known from Greek mythology as it was said to be the home to the 12 gods of Ancient Greece.
Olympus stands out for it's rich flora and fauna and is the first area in which a special protection regime was established 50 years ago, as it was declared a National Forest in 1938.
In 1981 UNESCO declared Olympus an MAB Biosphere Reserve.
c. Mount Kissavos
Kissavos, also known as Ossa, lies on the east side of Thessaly south of Tempi Vale, facing mount Olympus. The two mountains are divided by Tempi vale.
We find a reference of Kissavos in the Greek mythology when the two mighty giants Otos and Ephialtes, sons of Aloeus, wishing to claim Zeus’ power, placed Pelion on Kissavos so as to reach and conquer Olympus.
In antiquity it was Magnites that inhabited this mountain, whereas it is associated with the veneration of the goddess Demeter, and also with Asclepius, Hercules, Philoctetes, Alexander the Great etc.
Today a great part of Kissavos has been declared as “Ossa Aesthetic Forest” and classified as a special protection area by the Pan-European network Natura 2000, as it is an area of exceptional natural beauty.
Timios Prodromos monastery, outside the village by the name Anatoli, was established in the 16th century and you can be informed on the ecological and agrotourist activities of the convent. HERE
We find a reference of Kissavos in the Greek mythology when the two mighty giants Otos and Ephialtes, sons of Aloeus, wishing to claim Zeus’ power, placed Pelion on Kissavos so as to reach and conquer Olympus.
In antiquity it was Magnites that inhabited this mountain, whereas it is associated with the veneration of the goddess Demeter, and also with Asclepius, Hercules, Philoctetes, Alexander the Great etc.
Today a great part of Kissavos has been declared as “Ossa Aesthetic Forest” and classified as a special protection area by the Pan-European network Natura 2000, as it is an area of exceptional natural beauty.
Timios Prodromos monastery, outside the village by the name Anatoli, was established in the 16th century and you can be informed on the ecological and agrotourist activities of the convent. HERE
d. Larisa's coastline
Larisa has one of the biggest continuous coasts that is 13 km long, starts from Agiokampos and ends in Velika.
The most striking feature of these coasts is that they are multiform (there are both sandy and pebbly beaches) and they combine the green color of Kissavos with the blue color of the Aegean Sea.
A ring road starting from Agiokampos and reaching Stomio connects almost all coasts while it offers visitors a beautiful journey through the green landscape of Kissavos.
The most striking feature of these coasts is that they are multiform (there are both sandy and pebbly beaches) and they combine the green color of Kissavos with the blue color of the Aegean Sea.
A ring road starting from Agiokampos and reaching Stomio connects almost all coasts while it offers visitors a beautiful journey through the green landscape of Kissavos.
Velika: Vrachakia Beach
Agiokampos beach
some info are from the site http://www.inthessaly.gr
II. Regional Unity of Magnesia
a. The Mountain Pelion (near the city of Volos)
Pelion is a mountainous peninsula in the centre of Greece. This is a wonderful place to explore all year round, as it has both summer and winter destinations. Makrinitsa, Portaria, Milies, Vizitsa and Tsagarada are among the most popular winter destinations in Pelion, where a ski centre can also be found in Chania village. Agios Ioannis, Horefto, Platanias and Milina are considered among the most frequented summer places. Holidays in Pelion are particularly popular among families with kids.
(More on the external link: www.greeka.com)
(More on the external link: www.greeka.com)