Larissa is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a commercial, industrial, military and transportation center.
Larissa is located in the centre of Thessaly for over 4000 years. Many believe that it was built by Larisos, son of Pelasgos, while others support that it was named after the nymph Larisa that drowned in the river Pineios while playing with her ball.
Nowadays, Larisa is equal to any other area Greece in matters of archaeological importance. It is “embraced” by the river Pineios that is said to be created by the tears of the mountains Pindos and Lingos (Chasia) when they were separated by the Gods of Olympus that envied their happiness as well as the beautiful valleys, plain and mountains that were created by their love.
Larisa’s name, however, reveals its Pelasgian origin. According to historians, the word “Larisa” stems from the word “laas” (=rock) that also breeds the word “laos” (=people). Many support that it means “hill” and “fortress”.
Silver drachma of Larissa (410-405 BC)
The city of Larissa is mentioned in Book II of Iliad by Homer:
“Hippothous led the tribes of Pelasgian spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larissa-Hippothous, and Pylaeus of the race of Mars, two sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus”
Larissa, with a population of approximately 150,000 residents, is a city where ancient history and long tradition in agriculture meet the modern way of living. Walk all the way to Larissa’s busy commercial centre, which is developed in an extensive network of pedestrianized streets. Visit the Archaeological museum, or the Historical & Folk Art museum and the Municipal Library, or attend painting and sculpture exhibitions at the Municipal Art Gallery.
Finally, at the outskirts of the city, on the road to Týrnavos, visit the monument of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. It was found accidentally after the Pineios river flooded in 1826 and a statue was built in the honor of Hippocrates opposite the Alcazar Park.
Since 2009, a museum near the tomb of Hippocrates houses copper sculptures of Asclepius, Health, Nikolaos Papanikolaou, Fleming and Dimitrios Paliouras, former president of the Educative Club of Larisa.
Furthermore, there is a marble tablet with the Hippocrates’s oath and aphorisms written on it as well as tablets with other pieces of his work. The visitor can also see a marble replica of the stone that covered Hippocrates’s tomb as well as exhibits that show how this famous doctor cured his patients.
Mount Olympus is highest mountain in Greece and the second highest mountain in the Balkans.
It is located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, between the regional units of Pieria and Larissa.
The shape of Olympus, the polymorphous and changeable beauty of its nature, the fog covered peaks and law clouds bringing about frequent the under storms, filled people with awe and admiration from ancient times. There are recent archaeological finds that go back to the Iron Age. Prehistoric man chose to live at the foot of this glorious mountain. Inspired by its mystery he created the legends that gave birth to the Twelve Greek Gods.
Mount Olympus from Larissa, Thessaly, Greece at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,
Artist: Edward Lear (British, London 1812–1888 San Remo), Date: 1848–88
The twelve gods live in ravines, “the mysterious folds of Olympus” according to Homer. Pantheon (today’s Mytikas) is their meeting place.
At the foot of the mountain, 5 kilometres from the sea, a sacred Macedonian city is dedicated to Zeus (Dias) and is called Dion. It is estimated that it flourished between the 5th century B.C. and the 5th century A.C.
The history of Olympus continued being turbulent even under the Turkish occupation. The mountain was used as a hiding place for the famous “armatol” fighting the “yoke of the tyrant”. During the German invasion in 1941, the Greek army along with Australian and New Zealand units fought important battles.
The whole Olympus has been declared an archaeological and historical place in order to preserve its monumental and historical physiognomy.
Leptokaria is small town at the foot of Mount Olympus, 60km from Larissa. It is part of Pieria, whose capital is Katerini. Leptokarya is a seaside area and the beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, certifying its excellent waters. The western side offers a beautiful view of Mount Olympus, the home of the mythical gods of Ancient Greece.
Hotel Olympian Bay, Leptokaria Pierias, Greece.
The Hotel Olympian Bay is located 1 km. from Leptokaria.
Telephone: +30 23520 31311-4
Fax: +30 23520 31315
E-mail: info@olympianbay.com
Web site: www.olympianbay.com