Fokida Prefecture

General info:

The Prefecture of Fokida (Phokida/Phokis/Phocis) covers a circa of 2,100 square km approximately and has a population of about 50,000 residents. Endowed with extraordinary morphological alternations, the region combines harmonically mountain and sea, tradition and history with a highly organized tourist industry.  Its terrain   is characterized by high mountains, few fertile valleys, sacred springs and caves and several stunning beaches. Its enchanting land is dotted with cosmopolitan costal resorts, picturesque villages and historical towns. Known since antiquity for its importance,  Fokida embraces in its boundaries international renown archeological  sites such as Delphi and  several historical  monuments.

Historical profile:
Fokida was first inhabited by the Pelasgians and  the Dorians. The region became widely known to the ancient world and extremely  flourished  due to the Delphic Oracle that was considered to be the navel of the earth.   The Delphic Ampictyony that was consisted by 22 cities was a powerful one, yet it abused   its power, a fact that triggered off the four Sacred Wars.   In later centuries the region was dominated by the Macedonians and the Romans.  Fokida was also the birthplace of some great fighters of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and the flag of the rebellion was raised for the first time in Salona, as Amphissa the capital of Fokida  was  named then.

Villages:
Amfissa (Amphissa) is the capital and also the administrative centre of the prefecture with a population of 7,000 residents approximately. Known since antiquity, the town is a charming one with traditional houses, impressively ornamented mansions and  quaint squares. The town  has  successfully managed to  combine modern amenities and its  traditional character. The imposing Salona fortress, the remarkable byzantine church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, that was built in the 11th century and the “Lykotrypa” which is assumed to be a Mycenaean tomb are only few of the worth-seeing sights of the capital. Amfissa offers many accommodation facilities and choices for entertainment.

Delphi is a quaint small town of some 2,500 residents. Located in a spectacular green landscape and perched  on the southern slopes of  Mt. Parnassus, the village is renowned as one of the most sacred  sites and has been listed  as a World-Heritage- site, for here  it was situated the  most powerful  Oracle in antiquity, the Delphic one  .  The archeological site of the Oracle still inspires a feeling of awe to the visitor with its sacred grandeur. The Doric temple of Apollo; the treasury of the Athenians, the theater; the stadium and also the famed Castalian Spring in which pilgrims had to purify themselves before asking an advice from the god Apollo and his priestess, Pytrhia are still can be seen. In the Archeological Museum of Delphi important finds from this area are exhibited.  

Galaxidi is a picturesque small resort of some 2,000 residents located 30 km approximately south to Amfissa. Built in a picturesque bay and upon the ruins of the ancient city of Oianthi , Galaxidi is among the prettiest towns in Fokida. Though it is  characterized by its tranquil  atmosphere,  during summer it becomes  quite lively. Quaint cobbled narrow streets and idyllic squares, traditional neighborhoods and beautiful mansions compose the romantic picture of this resort which was once  a powerful and prosperous  marine centre. The Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nikolas) with its impressive temple, the byzantine monastery of the Transfiguration od the Saviour and the remarkable building of the Town Hall are some of the places of interest in Galaxidi. The town offers many accommodation facilities for every pocket and many entertainment options as well.

Beaches: 
Fokida offers several beaches with wonderful   crystal-clear waters and many of them are found in scenic landscapes.
The beach of Marathias at the homonymous village with its clear blue waters, the small beaches of Galaxidi; the pebble and fully-organized Tolofonos beach  near the Eratini resort and  the splendid beaches of Itea town are some of the prefectures’ beaches that are worthing to be explored.

Access: 
Fokida (Amfissa, Delphi, Galaxidi, Lidoriki, Itea)  is connected by regular itineraries with public buses (KTEL) with Athens and  with Thessaloniki  (to Amfissa).