Arachova


Arachova is a mountain town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia, Greece, originally called Karyai. Since the 2011 local government reform it is a municipal unit, part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra. Its name is of South Slavic origin and denotes a place with walnut trees. It is a tourist destination due to its location in the mountains, its traditions and its proximity to the town of Delphi.
Greek rebels under Georgios Karaiskakis defeated the Ottomans at the 1826 Battle of Arachova.
The Formaela cheese from Arachova has been designated as a protected designation of origin. Nearby Arachova, modern ski facilities are popular with visitors. Although contemporary culture tends to outdo regional folklore, the town maintains some local customs and demonstrates them at celebrations on 23 April, in the honor of the patron Saint George.
Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its "brusque", the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts and woodcut creations as well.

Historical significance

Caryae is in Arcadia and was celebrated for its temple of Artemis Caryatis, and for the annual festival of this goddess, at which the "virgin" priestesses performed a ecstatic plant dance. This festival was of great antiquity, for in the Second Messenian War, Aristomenes is said to have carried off the Lacedaemonian virgins, who were dancing at Caryae in honor of Artemis.

Geography

Arachova is situated at about a 970 m elevation on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus, above the valley of the river Pleistos. The municipal unit has an area of 139.448 km2. Arachova is located 8 km E of Delphi, 9 km northwest of Distomo, 18 km southeast of Amfissa and 26 km west of Livadeia. The Greek National Road 48 passes through the town. The Parnassos Ski Centre is situated to the north.

Historical population

Gallery