GENERAL INFORMATION
The prefectures of Aitoloakarnania, Viotia, Evrytania, Pthiotis, and Attica are beautiful, historical, and diversified sections of the state of Greece. There are mountainous and flat areas, coasts, lakes, and touristic places, or places which have the potential to attract tourists.
HISTORY - CULTURE
Continental Greece became a transit point of nations since early ages. Continental Greece was inhabited during the prehistoric years and was often related to mythological events and figures (Heraclus, Apollo, Kadmos etc.). During the Mycenean years many towns, such as Thebes and Orchomenos, were developed and many of them took part in the Trojan wars. From the 9th C BC. and onwards many cities in continental Greece started to form federations, which - at a later stage - fought against one another for the control over the Sanctuary of Delphi in the well known ?Sacred Wars? (6th C BC), and for other important positions during that period of time.
Some of the areas flourished during or after these wars and established settlements. At a later stage, the forces of the continental Greece confronted the Persians, who wanted to expand their power to the area, in the famous battles in Plataia, Thermopiles etc. The cities of the continental Greece also took part in the Peloponnesian wars just before Thebes became one of the most powerful cities in Greece for a short time(4th C BC).
Yet the internal conflicts, for the overall control of important positions, led to the decline of the region in which decline, reached its peak during the Roman years. Some areas prospered during the Byzantine years, when many important monuments were established. Many of the city-states, that were created in the following years (under Frankish domination), flourished rapidly but the period of prosperity did not last long since the cities were destroyed during the Turkish-Venetians"s conflicts, and with the terror they spread throughout the area.
As a result, continental Greece came under the Turkish rule (1572) until the Greek Revolution in 1821, when Roumeli (as continental Greece is otherwise called) provided the Greek Revolution with weapons and human forces and was united with Greece in 1832.
Finally, the area was under severe strain during the Second World War but offered resistance. Continental Greece was the motherland of many significant figures, politics, poetry and arts.
SIGHTS
What can one say about the sights of a land that covers an area of thousands of sq.km., a long history, and such a beautiful natural landscape! Mountainous landscapes, beaches, lakes, valleys, forests, and caves bind together with the beautiful cities, the ruins of ancient times, the Byzantine, the medieval and monuments of later ages, which still remain, in an attractive scenery. All these along with the bridges, the monasteries, the beautiful roads, and the running waters make continental Greece idle for the visitors who love nature and sightseeing.
ENTERTAINMENT - SPORTS - SHOPPING
As it is already mentioned, continental Greece is idle for the tourists who love nature and sightseeing. This means that it is not the best area for entertainment. Of course, some cities such as Thebes, Livadia, Lamia, and Arahova (which is also a ski-centre) have plenty of clubs, bars, restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, and other entertainment centres. These cities have also numerous shops but the smallest towns have limited markets. The road network and the transportation in the area is good - sightseeing by car is suggested for its beautiful environment and the green landscapes. There are also sufficient sporting facilities: three ski centres (Parnassos, Timfristos), many mountainous shelters, many hotels, state and municipal sporting facilities in the cities and in the towns, and a great variety for hunting, fishing, and sea sports.
Some of the advantages of the region are the local festivities, the local markets, and the local cuisine of each prefecture. And if some areas (except of the ones close to the sea) are not so well organized for the tourists, continental Greece is forgiven because of its beauty and originality. |