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| Larisa, Larissa, Greek Λάρισα | ||
| region | Thessaly (Greek region) | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 144.651 (2011) | |
| height | 70 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Larisa is the capital of the Greek region Thessaly.
background
Larisa or Larissa is the capital of the regional district and region of the same name Thessaly in Greece. The city lies on the very fertile Pineios plain, which is near the MeteoraRock rises to the mountainous country. It is also the bishopric of the region, a university town and a NATO base.
history
According to Greek mythology, the city of Larisa (or Larissa) arose on the place where the nymph Larisa played ball on the bank of the Pineios River, slipped and drowned in the river; According to another legend, Larissus, the son of Pelasgos, founded the city four thousand years ago (perhaps another city called Larissa near Troy was mentioned by Homer ...).
Anyway, the area was on the river Pineios Settled since the Neolithic Age, various layers of settlement from the Bronze Age to the modern age can be identified on the heights of the citadel.
In the archaic period the area around the Acropolis was inhabited by Larisa; the city, originally ruled by noble families, joined Athens with a democratic constitution in the Peloponnesian War; the fertile region was known for horse breeding and mounted soldiers. General Meno comes from Larissa, who, according to the historian Xenophon, led an army to Persia alongside Cyrus. 344 to 196 BC. the city was under Macedonian rule after the conquest of Thessaly by Philip II.
In the 2nd century B.C. Larisa was "liberated" by the Romans from Macedonian rule and subjugated by them. Christianization took place early after Constantine I raised Christianity to the state religion. Bishop Achilleios from Larisa may have participated in the Council of Nicea in 325 and founded several Christian organizations. The city was probably plundered and rebuilt by the Ostrogoths, and in the following centuries there were raids by Arabs, Bulgarians (who stole the relics of St. Achilles and after Prespa away) and was integrated by the Franks into their crusader kingdom of Thessaly, which came into being after the fourth crusade.
After various pillages by the Ottomans, Larisa came under Ottoman rule after being conquered by Turahan Bey and became the seat of the Pasha of Thessaly as "Yeni-şehir i-Fenari". In the confusion of Greek Revolution the city was the garrison location of the Ottomans in Thessaly, as a result, the subjugated Christians received permission to run their own schools and renovate their churches. With the annexation of Thessaly to the Greek kingdom in 1881, Larisa came under Greek rule again and remained so apart from a phase of occupation by the Turks.
During the Second World War, the city was damaged by bombing by the Italian invaders, and after being conquered by the Wehrmacht, it was occupied by Italy; Here, among other things, the Greek Jews were brought together to be transported to the extermination camps. From the massive outflow of goods and funds during the occupation and the earthquake damage of 1941/55, the city recovered only with difficulty and lost much of its charm through reconstruction. Today, as the capital of the Thessaly region, it is an important economic and trade center, university town and seat of a NATO base, which also includes the military airport on the eastern outskirts.
getting there
By plane
Further south, near the city Volos lies the international Nea Anchialos Airport
(IATA: VOL) (Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Νέας Αγχιάλου), the main airport in Central Greece. From Germany there are more frequent direct flights to the airports of Thessaloniki Airport
(IATA: SKG) , a good 2 hours' drive from Larissa and Athens.
The airfield on the eastern edge of the city is used for military purposes.
By train
Larisa is on the express train line Athens - Thessaloniki, besides there are connections to Volos. To connect to Karditsa and Kalambaka you have to change trains south of Larissa in Paleopharsalos (or you can use the direct bus connection).
In the street
Larisa is on the toll motorway A1that of Thessaloniki to Athens leads; the city is largely bypassed by the motorway. From the south, a connecting route (EO1) leads into the city, which you can also follow if you are on the well-developed EO6 direction Trikala - Kalambaka and to the meteor monasteries.
mobility
Larisa is not built for motor vehicle traffic. Everything is tight and slow. There are no traffic control systems. Parking spaces are in short supply. One should take the train to Larissa.
Tourist Attractions
Streets and squares
As Main streets Parts of Venizelos St. (Βενιζέλου) and beyond the busy Kuprou St. (Κύπρου) of Kouma St. (Κούμα) around St. October 28th were free of traffic, there are numerous shops here. From 1 Central square (Κεντρική Πλάτεία) you turn north to the citadel.
Venizelos St. ends at the Bridge over the Pineios.
Buildings and ancient sites
- the 2 ancient theater A was in the 3rd century BC. and with a size of the orchestra of 20 m, approx. 30 rows of seats and a capacity of 10,000 spectators corresponded to the usual size of a theater in an ancient Greek city. Under Roman rule, the theater was converted for circus games and theatrical performances were moved to the second theater.
- from the second 3 ancient theater B From Roman times, little more can be seen than the foundation walls discovered in 1978 during renovation work. After the conversion of the first theater, the performance of plays was postponed here; the place is used in modern times for the performance of ancient plays.
- at Lana-Platz (Πλατεία Λαού) 4 Ruins of baths from early Christian times; ruins of were also found in Lamproulis Square 5 Baths from Byzantine times.
- more ruins of the Byzantine city fortifications are preserved in various places.
- the 6 Bezesteni, a rectangular building from the 15th century. was used in Ottoman times as a covered market, powder magazine and later as a fortress, for this reason the building is now called "Fortress" designated.
- the great 7 Ottoman bathhouse (Buyuk Hamam) from the approx. 17th century. was the center of Ottoman life in the city, a dome can still be seen in the shops.
- the 8 Yeni mosque from the 19th century. at the Plateia Laou was damaged in the multiple earthquakes and was converted into an archaeological museum.
Churches
- 9 Agios Achilleios - Cathedral. In Larisa is the bishopric of the region with the Agios Achilleios - Cathedral. The dome grave of St. Achilles can be found in the north wing.
- 10 Byzantine basilica, Lamproulis Square. Main and two side aisles from the 11th / 12th centuries. Century.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- the Bezesteni (see above) is also known as a fortress, but the Ottoman building only had part of the fortification function.
Monuments
- at the crossing Demeter / Nike St. 1955 became a 11 Neptune monument discovered, which was transferred to the museum for better protection, a copy of the marble column with one dedicated to Poseidon as god of springs was left on site.
- on the 12 Hebrew Square (Plateia Evreon, Πλατεία Εβραίων) is the memorial, which commemorates the extermination of the Jewish population. This is also where the synagogue the city.
Museums
- 13 Historical & Folklore Museum Larisa, Λαογραφικό και Ιστορικό Μουσείο Λάριςας, Gourgioti / Γ. Γουργιώτη. Tel.: 2410 239446, Fax: 2410 287516, Email: [email protected].
- the archaeological museum (Diachroniko Museio) was evidently from the former mosque at the Plateia Laou resp. 31st Augustou St. moved to new premises at Mezourlos Hill in the south (Athens bypass - Trikala) of the city and should open in 2014 (where?)
- Archaeological Museum, Plateia Laou / 31st Aug. Street. Tel.: 2410 288515, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon-Sun 8.30 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Mon in summer.
- 14 City Katsigras Art Museum, Av G. Papandreou. Tel.: 2410 621205. Open: Tue-Fri 10: 00-14: 00/18: 00-21: 00, Sat, Sun 10: 00-14: 00.
Parks
_-_Larisa.JPG/220px-Alkazar_Park_(lake)_-_Larisa.JPG)
- sidewalks were laid along the river Pineios (Pinios), which often caused destruction in the city due to floods. A cenotaph reminds of the Greek doctor Hippocrates, who is said to have been buried in Larissa - at least the city's medical faculty holds his reputation high.
- the 15 Park Alkazar serves the townspeople as a recreational area, in an arena similar to an ancient semicircular theater, classical plays are performed in summer.
- it is a little further north 1 Football stadium Alkazar - the AEL (Athletic Union of Larissa), the new one 2 Stadion is on the bypass in the southwest of the city.
- on the 16 Postplatz (Post Office Square, Πλ. Ταχυδρομείου) is the water sculpture "Sculptural River" by the artist from Larissa Nella Goranda.
activities
shop
- Above all in the streets of Kyprou St. and Kouma St., which are increasingly attractive due to the exemption of traffic, there are numerous shops and boutiques.
kitchen
- the range of restaurants and pubs is large, the area around Postplatz, for example, is popular.
nightlife
accommodation
Learn
Practical advice
trips
- in the direction Olympus
- towards the Ossa massif (Spilia)
- to Kalambaka to the Meteora-Convents
- to the port city Volos and in the Pelion-Peninsula
literature
Web links
- http://www.larissa-dimos.gr - Larisa official website, only in Greek
