Kamena Vourla - Thermopylae - Monastery of Damasta
The seaside town located in the Maliakos Gulf and belongs to the Municipality of Molos - Agios Konstantinos, N. Fthiotida. Known for its healing waters became famous resort decade 1960 -70.
It is worth visiting for the following :
- BATHROOM ON THE BEACH
The beach in front of the hotel «Galini» awarded with Blue Flag. it is organized, with small pebbles, shallow, full of restaurants, coffee and beach bar.
You can go through the "Ekmek Kira Yota"To try the famous ekmek and pie. Located on the promenade and a "meeting point" as it remains open all year (Germany. Vassiliadis 57).
- FOR THERMAL BATHS & SPA
The Hot Springs Kamena Vourla considered among the most important in Europe. They made known the 1926 when the chemist Michael Pertesis discovered that the radon they contain is far superior to other European spas. Their exploitation began in the early 1930.
The hot springs suitable for rheumatologic diseases, dermatological, gynecological, kidney etc.. The water temperature ranges from 35-36The C (all year) and the thermal water is not drinkable.
The hotel Mitsis Galini Wellness Spa & Resort, 5*, offers its facilities for thermal baths and spa exploited the Hot Springs of Kamena Vourla.
The hotel has 3.500 m2 spa facilities and is considered the largest in the Balkans (session of 24 February - 31 October, Germany. Vassiliadis 5, tel.: +30 22350 80501, www.mitsishotels.com).
The old primary spa, located within the hotel, It has been abandoned and is not working.
If you want to free thermal baths should go to hot Springs Koniaviti and cosmetics (Omorfonera).
The sources Koniaviti and Cosmetics have small outdoor pools concrete, sulphurous thermal waters. The water temperature is 33The C and indicated for respiratory diseases, rheumatic diseases and for cosmetic treatments.
To get up there you should exit just outside Kamena Vourla, about 1 km, towards Lamia. If you move into the New National Road will take the exit for Hot Springs Koniaviti.
- FOR DIVING
Kamena Vourla operates private Diving School, the "V DIVE CLUB», which makes diving in Lihadonisia, the islands with the spectacular seabed that lie between B. Evoikos and Maliakos Gulf (information, tel. : +30 22353 01554, +30 6944 555128, +30 6948 885641, www.vdiveclub.com).
- FOR hIKING
Kamena Vourla is built at the foot of Mt. Knimis (938 m.), Eastern extraction of Mt. Kallidromon.
If you like hiking you can browse organized, the paths of Knimida and Kallidromon or move it yourself by renting bikes or 4x4 (information, «middle Earth», street Germany. Vassiliadis 67, Kamena Vourla, tel. : +30 22353 01554, +30 6944 555128, +30 6948 885641, www.middlearht.gr ).
Among the most known tracks is "Trail of the Caves"And the route from Kamena Vourla to Monastery of the Transfiguration, with a stopover in "Giannakis faucet».
THERMOPYLAE
Refrain from Kamena Vourla 22 km and worth the visit for the following :
FOR memorial of Thermopylae
The Memorial Thermopylae, known as "Leonidas Monument"Built in 1955 by Vassos Falirea (1905-1979).
It consists of a bronze statue Leonidas, king of the Spartans, who holds a spear and shield. Right and left, in a lower position, installed marble personalized forms of Mt. Taygetos and the river Evrotas.
CENTER FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION THERMOPYLON (K.I.E.TH.)
The Thermopylae Historical Information Center (K.I.E.TH.) Located in Thermopylae Community.
features 3 rooms, the "Leonidas", the "perpetual" and "Thermopylae".
Applications has edited the FHW.
Through the virtual tour you will see "Battle of Thermopylae», the reinforcement of Greek and troop movements, will attend the nightmare to drive Persians from Anopaia Road at West Gate and Hill of Kolonos, you will learn the history of Persian Wars, the "Battle of Artemisium"etc..
The K.I.E.TH. located in Local Community Thermopylae, the Municipality of Lamia (information K.I.E.TH. Winter Hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., summer schedule, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Admission to the Greeks : 1 euro, tel. : 22310 93054)
From Athens to get through MC. Athens - Lamia, where after the Trinity toll, will turn right towards Thermopylae Community.
From Thessaloniki by NR. Athens - Lamia, after Lamia will turn right towards Thermopylae Community.
- FOR IAMATIKES sources THERMOPYLON
In the Greek mythology created by Hephaestus, after Athena's request to do there swimming Hercules, after their labors,.
In the story of Thermopylae here they washed their wounds, after battles, Leonidas and 300.
The Thermopylae Hot Springs suitable for rheumatic diseases, neurological and gynecological.
The water temperature ranges to 4TheThe C (all year) and the thermal water is not drinkable.
The sources are not exploited by the Municipality of Lamia or a hotel unit and access is free.
The sources are 15 km from Lamia.
MONASTERY MONASTERY DAMASTAS or Genesis MARY DAMASTAS
The IM. Damastas is built on the north slope Kallidromon, in altitude 740 m., in a forest of fir. Is a post-Byzantine nunnery dedicated to "Nativity of the Virgin ". The prevailing version of the name Monastery Damastas It is the word "tamer"And refers to Mary which harnesses the pain of people.
The nave is type cruciform basilica with a dome and it is unknown when it was built. It is speculated that the first creation was 1100, It was destroyed after a large earthquake, about 1500 and rebuilt in 1600. The monastery has a small chapel dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena, built recently after donation (2001).
During the Revolution 1821 Damasta Monastery played an important role. According to the inscription on to the Monastery, has treated the chieftain John Panourgias, who was injured in the battle which took place in copper. At the same time the monastery was burned and according to the inscription, the painting of the church took over the fighter of the Revolution, chieftain John Dyovouniotis. The 1833 The monastery was abandoned and lost the entire property. Reestablished later today is an organized monastery, with guest quarters and hostels.
Inscriptions IN IM. DAMASTAS
The IM. Damastas celebrated on 8 September, where a festival, with the attendance of many faithful from the eve of the feast.
You can come to the miraculous image of the Virgin and Child (16th) and the magnificent view from above.
From Kamena Vourla will reach the monastery following the road to Lamia, exit Bralos and then you enter the province. Street Hercules - Lower tame (because there is no sign to IM. Damastas in CYCLON gas station will do right).
From Lamia is about 23 km and follow the path to the village Moschochori, known for table water IOLI.
On the way to Damasta will encounter the Hot Springs Kallidromon, with 33The C and free entrance to the outdoor pool. The sources are ideal for rheumatic and dermatological diseases.
KAMENA VOURLA – ACCESS
Kamena Vourla refrain from Athens about 177 km and Lamia 40 km.
Access is :
- from New National Highway A1 / E75, Athens - Thessaloniki, exit : AK / K. bulrush (WESTERN.), in the 177,5 km
- from New National Highway A1 / E75, Athens - Thessaloniki, exit : AK / Agios Constantinos, in the 172 km for PEO. Athens - Thessaloniki, towards Kamena Vourla
- from New National Highway A1 / E75, Thessaloniki – Athens output : AK / K. bulrush (ANAT.).
USEFUL ADDRESSES
- Municipality shore, tel. : 22353 50000
- Municipality of Lamia, tel. : 22313 51500
- bus Lamia, intercity, tel. : 22310 51345, www.ktelfthiotidos.gr
- bus Athens, tel. : 210 8317147, 210 8324200
- Bus Kamena Vourla, tel. : 22350 22519
- TRAINOSE SA, www.trenose.gr , tel. : 22310 61061, Lianokladi station
- TAXI Lamia, tel. : 22310 34555
- www.kammena-vourla.gr
- www.mwlos.gr
- Thermopylae Historical Information Center (K.I.E.TH.), tel. : 22310 93758, 22310 93054
- IM. Damastas, tel. : 22310 81304
