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Thessaly
(Thessalia) is geographically the central section of mainland Greece.
It is surrounded by high mountain ranges encircling a low plain. It
borders Macedonia to the north, Sterea Ellada to the south, Epirus
to the west, and its eastern shoreline is on the Aegean. It has a
higher percentage of flatland than any other district in Greece.
The climate
is continental; the winters are cold and the summers hot and the temperature
differential between the two seasons are large. One of the characteristics
of the climate of the plain of Thessaly is the frequent summer rainstorms.
These frequent rains amplify the fertility of the plain, often called
the "breadbasket of Greece". |
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entire plain is surrounded by the mountains of Pindus, Othrys, Ossa
and Agrafa; among them flows the Pineios river which drains
into the Aegean, after passing through the Thessalic Tempi. The district
was the home of the ancient gods and of the Centaurs. |
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Here,
in this place, among the woods, the gorges, and the picturesque villages,
Meteora reaches for the sky. Twenty four Byzantine monasteries
have been clinging to the tops of the tall grey rock shafts for over
six hundred years, challenging and inviting pilgrims from all over
Greece to this centre of Christianity. |
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Larissa
is the capital of Thessaly: Old mansions with yards and gardens
in bloom in the middle of the plain of Thessaly. Amid the proud mountains
and traditional villages, the visitor will find spas, churches and
antiquities. |
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Karditsa,
the capital of the district of Karditsa is built on the banks of a
tributary of the Pinios river. A modern town with well laid out streets,
it is at the same time especially picturesque with its traditional
villages scattered on the peaks of the Agrafa mountain range.
Spas at Smokovo and Kaista as well as many antiquities and Byzantine
monuments. |
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on the site of Homeric Trikki, Trikala today is crossed by the river
Litheos. The ruins of the most ancient sanctuary of Asclepius
are here. |
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Kalambaka,
famed for its Byzantine churches, is built where the river Pinios
leaves the Pindus mountains, at the foothills of Meteora. |
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Nearby
the Pagasitic Gulf embraces Pelion, the mythological land of the
Centaurs: imposing and verdant, rough and scenic, wild and accessible.
With beech covered peaks, streams running down the slopes, villages
rooted among the chestnut and olive trees, Pelion is a wonder.
Makrinitsa,
Portaria, Milies, Vizitsa, Tsagarada, Zagora: all villages with
magnificent large old stone houses with wall decorations and slate
roofs. Beautiful resorts dot the seaside.
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Volos,
the capital and economic centre of the district, is located in the
Pagasitic Gulf. Its verdant surroundings are alive with ancient memories;
Iolkos (the hide out of Jason and the Argonauts), Dimtrias. To the
west are the Neolithic settlements of Seklo and Diminio. Splendid
blue waters lap at beautiful beaches and local specialities complete
the region's portrait. |
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