Farsala - Φάρσαλα

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The relief from Farsala, one of the oldest items of Greek art. (Louvre Museum no. Ma 701)

The Farsala known in antiquity as Farsalos is its semi-mountainous town of the prefecture of Larissa and is located at the southern end of the prefecture, at the edge of the Thessalian plain, at the northern end of Narthaki, 45 km south of Larissa. It is built on the natural road that connects it Thessaly with southern Greece, the city was often a passage of forces either to the south or to the north, but also a field of historical conflicts, the most important of which is the one that took place in 48 BC. between Julius Caesar and Pompey, with the former victorious in the Roman Civil War.

At a glance

It is the administrative, financial and agricultural center of the homonymous province. The inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, mainly in the cultivation of cotton, animal husbandry, while many are also employed in the local processing units of agricultural products, such as for example in the textile industry. A well-known product of Farsala is the local "soap" halva.

The modern city is unfortunately colorless due to the devastation during World War II and the earthquakes that followed in the 1950s. Also, during the period 1985 - 2000 many old buildings were demolished and in their place were built apartment buildings of dubious aesthetics with the compensation system. Its road construction is a mixture of the old city of the Turkish occupation and the "experimentation" of various municipal actors who tried rather unfortunate to improve the situation. The audacity of the municipal actors in opening roads is noticeable. In recent years, an attempt has been made to beautify the city center with the construction of sidewalks and stairs to the aesthetic grove of Profitis Ilias that dominates the south of the city. The city has a traffic problem due to the lack of a central parking space due to objective and subjective weaknesses.

History

Ancient times

The city is built at the foot of a hill, Mount Narthaki, at an altitude of 160 meters. Archaeological finds testify to the uninterrupted habitation of the site since the Neolithic era. Even today the Cyclopean walls that protected the city are visible. There is also a vaulted tomb of this period.

In historical times, the city is known as Farsalos. During the Persian Wars he allied with the Athenians. At the beginning of the 4th BC. century the city was a member of the Thessalian Common. It was later incorporated into the kingdom of Macedonia, during the reign of Philip II. The wider area became a theater of conflicts both between Aetolians and Thessalians against the Macedonians, and during the NW and DG Macedonian war. After the overthrow of the Macedonian kingdom by the Roman Republic, Farsalos came under Roman rule. The wider area was devastated during the Roman Civil War, either by passing troops or by Thracians and other mercenaries serving in the civilian armies. In 48 BC. in the plain of Farsala, Julius Caesar defeated Pompey in the battle of the same name, the Battle of Farsala.

Strabo, historian and geographer, mentions two cities, Palaifarsalos and Farsalos, in the historical years. Although the battle of 48 BC. is called the Battle of Farsala, ancient writers place the battle categorically close to Oldfarce. The Battle of Farsala took place North of the river Enipeos, near the present village of Krini (the former Driskoli), where the ancient road from Larissa it came out of the hills on the north side of the plain of Farsala

Ancient half-drachma of Farsala. 5th c. e.g.

Release

The Battle of Farsala by George Roilos (1867-1928).

Farsala which during the Turkish occupation was called Tsataltza, were liberated from the Ottoman Empire in 1881, when the Thessaly in the Hellenic Kingdom. Then they experienced a new flowering period. During the Greek-Turkish war of 1897, a fierce battle was fought in the area of ​​Farsala, on April 24, with the Ottoman forces.

World war II

During World War II, Farsala suffered significant damage. In 1941 they were bombed by them Germans, while in March 1943 the city was set on fire by them Italians and several residents were executed in retaliation for guerrilla attacks. In the civil war that followed the Occupation, the city was attacked by guerrillas, as evidenced by the numerous artillery shells around the city.

What will you see?

Farsala, this beautiful city with its rich heritage and great history, has many remarkable monuments such as: the imposing statue of the all-armed Homeric hero of Achilles, who came from Farsala, in the central square of the town. The brass Thetis, the daughter of the king of the sea Nereus, who baptizes the little Achilles in the waters of Styga (today's Apidanos river) to make him immortal holding him by the heel his only vulnerable point. The statue adorns Apidanos square in the city of Farsala .

Entertainment

When one visits Farsala, one should definitely try the famous Farsala halva. You will definitely not miss tasting this delicious local product.

Where are you going to eat?

Where to go for coffee - drink

Where will you stay?

Communications

Next destinations

There is an article on Wikipedia on the subject:

Farsala

In Public affairs There are files on the topic:

Farsala

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