NOMOS FOKIDAS

AMFISSA

Population (according to 2021 census): 6.334

History

Amfissa: From Antiquity to the Revolution

Amfissa: The Capital of Phocis Through the Centuries

Εντός του Κάστρου των Σαλώνων
Απομακρυσμένη άποψη του Κάστρου των Σαλώνων

-Amfissa, the capital of Phocis, is a historical city with a rich heritage and a remarkable combination of mountainous and coastal landscapes. -The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Ancient Amfissa was a significant city-state, the capital of the Hesperii or Ozolian Locrians. Its name likely derives either from the eponymous lover of Apollo, or from the verb "amphiénnymi" (meaning "to surround"), as the city is surrounded by mountains. In antiquity, Amfissa had developed trade and arts, and in 653 BC, its inhabitants founded the colony of Epizephyrian Locris in Lower Italy. -Amfissa was the catalyst for the start of the Fourth Sacred War, which acted as a springboard for the expansion of Macedonian dominance over southern Greece. The Locrians of Amfissa were accused by the Delphic Amphictyony of cultivating the Crisean Plain, which had been designated as sacred and inviolable land after the First Sacred War. At the Amphictyonic Congress, the Athenian orator Aeschines accused the people of Amfissa of sacrilege. -The people of Amfissa refused to pay the fine imposed on them and even attacked the sacred heralds of the Amphictyony. Their refusal to comply provided the ideal opportunity for Philip II of Macedon to invade central Greece to expand his influence, as the Amphictyonic Congress, on the initiative of the Thessalians and Thebans, tasked him with punishing the people of Amfissa for their impiety. -In 338 BC, Philip invaded with his army and captured Amfissa, destroying it. This event was the prelude to the Battle of Chaeronea, where Philip defeated the combined forces of the Athenians and Thebans, effectively ending the independence of the Greek city-states. -In the Byzantine era, the city was renamed Salona. During the Frankish rule (13th-14th centuries), it became the seat of the Barony of Salona. The Castle of Salona, built upon the ruins of the ancient acropolis, is one of the city's most important monuments. -Amfissa holds a prominent position in the Greek War of Independence. It was the first city in Roumeli to revolt, and the Castle of Salona was the first castle to be liberated from the Turks, on April 10, 1821. In 1833, the city officially regained its ancient name, Amfissa.

Traditions

Amfissa: Legends and Traditions

Stories of Amfissa: Orea and the Phantoms of Charmaina

Κτίσματα στην ιστορική συνοικία της Χάρμαινας

-The "Night of the Phantoms" is one of the most famous and unique Carnival customs in Greece, which is revived on the last weekend of Carnival. -The custom is based on a local legend, according to which a young tanner named Konstantis, who was in love with Lenio, returns from a journey to find her dead, struck by lightning near the spring of Charmaina. Grief-stricken, he takes his own life, but because religion does not forgive him, his soul is transformed into a terrifying "Phantom" that haunts the Charmaina neighborhood. -In the reenactment of the custom, Konstantis, as the "Phantom of Charmaina," descends the steps of the Church of Aï-Nikola to confront "Phantoms" from other springs. Groups of carnival-goers in frightening disguises, with bells and animal bladders, flood the city, while the atmosphere becomes mystical and simultaneously festive, with dance and song. -The legend of "Orea" of the Castle of Salona is one of the most well-known and moving local traditions of Amfissa, and indeed explains why the castle is also known as the "Castle of Orea." -The myth, dating back to the period of Ottoman rule, narrates the story of a brave and beautiful young woman, Orea (which means "fair" or "beautiful"). According to tradition, during the siege of the castle by the Turks, the situation of the besieged was desperate. Fortified within the walls, the defenders had exhausted their food and water, making the fall of the castle a matter of time. The Turks, aware of the situation, demanded that the defenders surrender. -Orea, who was the daughter or a relative of the castle's commander, seeing the danger of capture, humiliation, and enslavement for the women, made a dramatic decision. After first putting on her fine clothes, she climbed the highest tower of the castle. Determined not to surrender to the conquerors but to die free, she threw herself from the tower. -In some variations of the myth, Orea jumped while holding her baby in her arms, while in others it is said that she herself turned to stone. Orea's act remains to this day a symbol of courage, self-sacrifice, and resistance to subjugation, and her legend has been passed down from generation to generation, giving its name to the city's historic castle.

Local products

The Taste of Amfissa: Olives, Cheeses, and Local Products

The Gastronomic Heritage of Amfissa

-The gastronomy of Amfissa is inextricably linked to the rich nature of the area, combining the agricultural products of the olive grove with the livestock products of the surrounding mountains. -The region is famous for its olives, which are a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product. "Amfissa olives" stand out for their large, round shape and their blemish-free flesh. They are consumed mainly as table olives, either black or green, and are known for their mild, fruity flavor. Furthermore, the region's olive oil is of high quality, with characteristically low acidity and a rich aroma. -The livestock farming tradition of the area yields excellent dairy products from sheep and goat milk. -A unique local cheese, whose name derives from the words for 'bread' and 'cheese' ('psomi' + 'tyri' = Psomotyri). It has a distinctive flavor and is often accompanied by honey. -One of the most famous Greek feta cheeses, with a rich, slightly spicy flavor. Feta from Phocis, due to the particular flora of the pastures, is considered one of the best in the country. -Furthermore, local graviera (a hard cheese) and mizithra (a fresh whey cheese) of excellent quality are produced. -A special and unique traditional recipe is the olive spoon sweet, where the ripe olive is transformed into a delicious spoon sweet. -Although not a product for consumption, tanning is a traditional craft of the Charmaina neighborhood, with local tanneries producing leather goods. However, this craft is now tending to disappear.

Tourism

Traveling to Amfissa: Sights and Destinations

Amfissa: From the Olive Grove to the Castle

-The tourist destinations in Amfissa are not limited to just the main sights but extend to nearby areas that offer a variety of experiences. -The Castle of Salona (also known as the Castle of Orea, the Acropolis, or the Castle of Amfissa) is located on the hill of Prophet Elias, a short distance from the urban center. The ascent to the castle offers a panoramic view of the city and the Olive Grove. Within its walls, one can find the ruins of ancient structures, medieval constructions, and also the mosque, built during the period of Ottoman rule. -Initially, on the rocky hill of the city, the ancient Greeks built their fortified acropolis. Today, sections of the ancient walls are preserved, mainly on the southeastern and southwestern sides. -In medieval times, with the city now called Salona, the Frankish barons of the area used the ancient foundations to build their own strong castle. This is the castle we see today, with its characteristic medieval walls. -This name is the modern and general name for the monument. However, the historical name "Castle of Salona" remains the most widespread, while it is also known as the "Castle of Orea," due to the relevant local legend. -The Charmaina Neighborhood is a picturesque part of the city with traditional stone-built houses, leather tanning workshops, stone fountains, and pathways, and it is also a significant part of the city's economic history. It is located at the foot of the castle of Amfissa and is considered the old neighborhood of the tanners. Although the tanning workshops no longer operate, the area retains its unique atmosphere. -The Archaeological Museum of Amfissa is a small but extremely interesting museum that serves as an important gateway to the history of the region. It is located in the heart of the city and is housed in a historic building, offering visitors a comprehensive picture of the archaeological wealth of Phocis. -The museum is housed in the old building of the Amfissa Municipal Hospital, a neoclassical structure from 1930 which is a cultural and historical monument in its own right. The building was specially renovated to house the archaeological collections, combining the architecture of the past with a modern museological approach. -The museum's exhibits come from excavations conducted throughout the wider region of Phocis, covering a vast period, from prehistory to Roman times. The exhibition is organized thematically and chronologically, emphasizing the main cities of ancient Phocis, such as Amfissa, Delphi, Elateia, Galaxidi, and Lilaea. -Among the most important finds are the sculptures discovered at the Castle of Amfissa. Of particular importance is the statue of Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, which testifies to the existence of a sanctuary of the deity in the ancient city. -Beyond being a huge historical symbol of the area, the Amfissa Olive Grove is a valuable piece of the natural landscape. It is, if not the largest single olive grove, one of the largest and oldest continuous olive tree expanses in Greece. It stretches over an area of 50,000 stremmas (approx. 12,350 acres), with about 1.2 million olive trees. -The olive grove is a living ecosystem that hosts rich biodiversity. Wild plants and herbs grow in its soil, while many species of birds, such as owls, hawks, and nightingales, as well as small mammals, live within its expanse. -The Olive Grove is the heart of the local economy and culture. Traditional cultivation and harvesting techniques, such as beating the trees with poles, are kept alive from generation to generation. -The dirt roads that cross the olive grove are ideal for endless walks or bike rides, offering a unique combination of nature and history. -The Amfissa Olive Grove is a living monument and a non-negotiable source of life for the region. -The central church of the city, Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas), is known for its distinctive bell tower and the fact that the church was built on top of an ancient Greek temple. -Amfissa is an ideal starting point to explore some of the most important destinations in Phocis. Just a 15-minute drive away is the world-famous Delphi, with its archaeological site and Oracle. If you prefer the sea, Itea is only 10 minutes away, offering beaches and seafood tavernas. A little further, the picturesque Galaxidi with its historic harbor and mansions awaits your visit. Furthermore, the area is rich in religious monuments, such as the Monastery of Panagia of Varnakova. Finally, for nature and adventure lovers, Amfissa is an ideal base for mountain excursions to Parnassus, Giona, and Vardousia.