Fokída (Greek Φωκίδα), is a region in Central Greece, it corresponds roughly to the ancient region Phocis.
Fokida is surrounded by the regions Boeotia in the East, Fthiotida in the north and Aetolia-Acarnania in the West. The southern limit is the Gulf of Corinth. The landscape is characterized by mountains, the Vardousia and Giona mountain ranges reach heights of 2,500 m, and the Parnassos massif is not far behind. Only the valley between Itea and Amfissa can be used intensively for agriculture.
The main attractions of the region are the ancient sites of Delphiwhich are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
places
In terms of administration, there are only two municipal districts in Fokida Dorida and Delphi. Belong to the Delphi parish
- Delphi, modern community near the ancient site
- Itea, in ancient times the port of Delphi
- Amfissa, Capital of the region
The winter sports resort Arachova at the foot of Parnassos lies in the ancient region of Phocis, but according to the modern division into Boeotia.
Other goals
background
The name of the modern prefecture (or since the administrative reform of 2011 of the regional district) Fokída derives from the ancient region Phocis ab, the home of the Greek tribe of Phoker. However, this is not completely congruent with the current administrative unit. So the entire Parnassos massif belonged to the ancient Phocis, today only its west side is in Fokida, the summit and the north-east slope, however, Fthiotida, the southern slope Boeotia. Instead, Fokida was to the west around the ancient region Doris (Home of the Dorians, after whom the Doric column order is named) as well as part of the western one Lokris expanded.
Today's regional district of Fokida has an area of 2,210 km² (slightly smaller than the Saarland, slightly larger than the canton of St. Gallen), but only about 40,000 inhabitants. So there are just 18 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The massifs Giona (2507 m), Vardousia (2495 m) and Parnassos (2455 m) are the highest peaks in central Greece and are among the highest mountains in the entire country. The mountainous landscape makes agricultural use difficult - apart from olive cultivation - which is why the region is traditionally sparsely populated. Therefore, no powerful city-states or city leagues developed here - unlike in Attica (Athens), Boeotia (Thebes) or the Peloponnese (Sparta). Around Delphi there was only one so-called Amphictyony, d. H. a loose association of congregations, which was more of a religious-cultural than political nature.
The importance in the religious and mythological area was all the greater. The Parnassus (os) is considered the mountain of Apollon and home of the muses (goddesses of the arts) and thus a symbol of poetry and art in general. According to the ancient Greeks, Delphi was even the “navel” of the world (Omphalos), because this is where the two eagles that Zeus had sent from both ends of the world met. The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi was one of the Panhellenic sanctuaries; H. those who were worshiped nationwide by all Greeks. As many Greek rulers did that Oracle of Delphi asked for advice and made their decisions dependent on it (e.g. to found new colonies or to go to war), it had it - in the form of the prophesying Apollo priestess (Pythia) - indirectly also great political influence. In addition, the oracle and its enigmatic sayings appear in numerous Greek sagas and dramas. The Pythian Games also took place here - after the Olympic Games, the second most important of the Panhellenic competitions of antiquity.
The attempts of the Phocians and Locrians to exercise control over the sanctuaries of Delphi, sacred to all Greeks and therefore officially neutral, took place in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. To a series of wars with changing alliances, which as Holy wars are designated. In the Hellenistic period (2nd century BC) the area was fought over between the Macedonians and the Romans and subsequently lost its independent importance. Under Emperor Augustus it became part of the Roman province Achaea integrated.
Some of the leaders in the Greek War of Independence 1821-29 came from Fokida. During the Second World War, a focus of Greek partisan activity was here, to which the German occupiers reacted with retaliatory measures such as mass shootings and the burning of villages. The two provinces Dorida and Parnassida were combined in 1947 to form the Prefecture of Fokida, which is congruent with today's regional district.
The economic sectors in the region include agriculture (particularly olive growing, beekeeping and cattle breeding), aquaculture fishing and bauxite mining. In addition, drinking water is obtained from the clean springs in the Parnassos massif, which is also used to supply the greater Athens area.
language
getting there
There is no airport in the region itself. The nearest commercial airports with scheduled connections are Nea Anchialos /Volos (VOL; 150 km from Amfissa), Araxos /Patras (GPA; 155 km from Amfissa) as well Athens (ATH; 200 km from Delphi).
Trains on the Athens – Leianokladi line run along the northeastern edge of the region, with stops among others. in Amfikleia, Lilaia and Bralos. Alternatively, you can go up Livadia (Boeotia) (long-distance trains on the Athens – Thessaloniki route also stop there) and change there to a bus in the direction of Itea.
The most important routes in road traffic are national roads 27 (Bralos – Amfissa – Itea) and 48 (Livadia – Delphi – Itea – Andirrio).
mobility
The only public transport available is buses, mostly from KTEL Fokidas operate. Even between the larger towns there are only a few buses a day.
It is therefore advisable to have your own car or rental car. Due to the mountainous landscape, the roads are very curvy. Most of the intersections are only signposted in Greek.
Tourist Attractions
- The highlight and “must-see” are those ancient sites of Delphi, namely the Temple of Apollo, the Tholos in the sanctuary of Athene Pronaia, the treasuries of the Athenians and the Siphnians. They are all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the Archaeological Museum with numerous ancient works of art and excavation pieces as well as the Castalian spring are located here.
- 1 Amfissa Castle: Amfissa Castle, also known as Salona Castle or Oria Castle, is very photogenic on a rocky hill 225m above the city of Amfissa. It was built on the site of the ancient acropolis. What we can see from the castle today are the remains of what was built by the Franks in the 13th century. built castle, but also many elements from the Byzantine and ancient Greek times.
activities
kitchen
nightlife
security
climate
literature
Web links
- Official website of the region, partly in English
