Viotia Prefecture

General info:

The prefecture of Viotia (Voiotia/Boetia) covers an area of some 3,000 square km and has 130,000 residents approximately. Its terrain mountainous and  rather rocky with few fertile plains such as the ones of Thiva and Kopaida and several beautiful beaches have made the prefecture a popular destination either for winter or summer vacations. The territory is dotted with traditional villages, seaside resorts, significant archaeological sites and historical towns, while the Parnassos ski resort is undoubtedly a major pole of attractions for plenty of visitors.

Inhabited since the Neolithic Age, Viotia encloses in its boundaries a wealth of archaeological sites that witness its glorious past. The remnants of the powerful ancient cities  of Thebes (Thives), Orhomenos, Plataies and Heronia (Haironia),  the remarkable byzantine churches and  medieval castles adorn its beautiful landscape.  Due to the increase of visitors in the last decades, Viotia has developed a well-organized tourist industry.

History:
The prefecture of Viotia  has  been inhabited since the  Palaeolithic Age and flourished considerably   during the Mycenaean Times and  become  a cultural centre.  The Battle of Plataies in  479 BC in which the Spartan Pausanias with its few soldiers  fought against powerful Persian army , was written in the golden pages of Greek History. In the centuries followed the region was dominated by Romans, the Normans and later by the Ottomans. The contribution of its people   in the Greek War Independence in 1821 was considerably important. 

Villages:
Livadia (Levadia) is the capital town of f the prefecture and has a population of 20,000 residents approximately.   It is a modern town and also a main trading centre of the area, yet its   old quarter, located at the foot of the Mt. Elikonas (Helikonas) and traversed by the Erkynas river, is a beautiful one composed by traditional   houses and  fine squares.  The 13th century Castle at the top of hill that shadows the town, the Public Library, and the Clock Tower are some of the worth-seeing of the capital.

At the surrounding area other interesting sites are   Krya (Crya) , a site  of great natural beauty, with plenty of trees. Here are also found  the  two  springs  that have been identified with the  ancient ones of Lithis (forgetfulness) and Mnemosyne  (memory), and from which  according to legend  one had to drink from ,  before asking an advice by the  Trophonios Oracle which also found at this area.
The capital offers several accommodation facilities and is connected with other main towns of the prefecture.

Arahova Arachova) is a picturesque mountainous town, located some 35 km west to Levadia Livadia) and with a population of some 4,ooo residents. Built on the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, it is a quite popular winter resort both for its beauty and also for being close to the Parnassos  ski-centre and  to the archaeological site of Delphi. The town offers many accommodation facilities and it is famed for its textiles.
The Church of Agios Ioannis (St. John) with interesting frescoes and the Korikio Andro (Cave) with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites formations are surely worth a visit.

Thiva (Thebes) is situated some 45 km east to Levadia and has a population of 20,000 residents approximately. The town which today is rather a modern one and a major trading centre has been built upon the ruins of the ancient powerful city of Thebes. The ancient city was considered to be the birthplace of the legendary hero Hercules and was connected with the story of Oedipus, the king Cadmus and the god Dionysus. The remnants of the ancient city include ruins of the city’s gates, the   Cadmeion , a Mycenaean place,  the sanctuary of Apollo; ,he Kabeirion sanctuary and an ancient theatre.
The Church of St. Luke the Evangelist ,  the fountain of Agioi Theodoroi, in which according  to myth Oedipus  cleaned himself after he killed his father and the church of Agios Dimitrios with its elaborated ornamentation and its remarkable temple are some of the worth-seeing sites in Thiva.

Beaches:
Viotia encompasses in its territory several sandy or pebble stunning beaches, located near famed resorts or in tranquil coves, satisfying thus even the most demanding tastes.
The splendid beaches  of Distomo and of Faros with their crystalline waters and the beach of Antikira located near the quaint village with clear waters are only some of them.

Access:
Viotia (Thiva, Levadia and Arahova) is connected by regular itineraries with public buses (KTEL) with Athens.
There are also regular itineraries by train of the Hellenic Railways (OSE) from Athens to Thiva and Levadia.