PREFECTURE OF LARISSA

The prefecture boarders north with the prefectures of Pieria and Kozani, eastwards is lying the Aegean Sea, west it boarders with the prefectures of Grevena, Trikala and Karditsa and south with Fthiotida`s and Magnesia's ones.
Life appears in the area, for the first time, in the Middle Palaeolithic period. In the Museum of Larissa one can see petrified bones of animals, weapons and tools of the first inhabitants who were nomads and hunters. In the Neolithic period, the tribe of Pelasges-according to the tradition-got permanent residences and they were cultivating the land. Over fifty groups of houses have been researched, the most significant of which are lying in the areas of Argissa, Otzaki and Magoula. The area was in flourish even in the Copper Age, as it is proved by the rich collection of things that the people of this period used, exposed in the Museum of Larissa. In the Mycenaean Times, the tribe of Lapiths- Lapiths was the ancient heroes Aegeus, Theseus, Achilles-fed the Greek mythology with their feats and they took part in the Trojan War. One can see ruins of posterior ages, proofs that the area continued to flourish, in Argissa (at the left bank of Peneus), in Gonnoi (at the west of the Tembes` valley) and in the area of the ancient Perraivia (on foot of Olympus). Christianism prevailed since the times of Constantine the Great, while in the Byzantine Times the area followed the luck of rest Thessaly. It was conquered by Samuel (czar of Bulgaria) in the end of the 10th century and by the Normans in the 11th century. Later, in the 13th century, it corporated in Epirus despotato. At last, it was conquered by the Turks and liberated in 1881.

Larissa, the capital of the prefecture, is built on the position of the ancient city, on the banks of Peneus. Nowadays, it enumerates 124.786 inhabitants and it is the fifth most populous city of Greece. It concentrates Thessalia`s commercial and touristic activity. Built on flat area, it has wide roads and the excellent Alkazar Park. Many industries, which elaborate rustic products, have been established in the area. Hippocrates lived for many years in Larissa and died there (BC 460-370). In 1946, a flood of the Peneus River revealed his grave, opposite Alkazar Park.  In the prohellenic language Larissa means castle, impregnable fortified place. The first settlers of the city lived in the Neolithic period. On the hill of Agios Achilleas, one can see the remains of the citadel (acropolis), which according to the things found by the excavations, it was continuously inhabited since the Neolithic Age. Larissus, son of Pelasgus, is mentioned as Larissa`s founder, while other people regard Acrisius as its settler. Acrisius was buried at the temple of Minerva which was built in the Larissian citadel. Since then, Larissa was significant in the political life of Thessalia.

Farsala: town with 9870 inhabitants, at the end of the Thessalian plain, 46km south of Larissa, famous because of its peculiar type of "halvas" (kind of Turkish sweet with sesame and honey). Significant commercial centre. Built on the natural way which connects Thessalia with north Greece, Farsala is the passing from south to north and because of that it frequently became field of historical conflicts, of which the most significant is this that occurred in BC 48, between Julius Caesar and Pompeius, known as "the battle of Farsala". Tradition connects Farsala with the Homeric Fthia and it seems that Farsala reached its highest point of bloom in the 5th BC century. It was also flourishing during the next century, because of King Philip the second, who reward the city as an exchange for the help that it had offered to the conquest of Thessaly. Farsala preserve a lot of ruins of its historical past. According to one acceptation, it is motherland of the ancient Greek hero Achilles.

Elassona: capital of the homonymous province (1713square km) of Larissa`s prefecture, built on a height of 300m, at the south boarders of Olympus mountain, on the way from Thessaly to Macedonia. Up Titarissius (Elassonian river), which is affluent of Peneus, flows through the area. The whole province of Elassona is rich in roustic products and venison.

Tyrnavos: It was founded in the 8th century by people who spoke the Slavic language. It met its highest point of bloom in the 18th century because of the developed industry of the red dye of fabrics and the manufacture of silk fabrics. Interest present the churches of Prophet Elias -of the 14th century- with wall paintings, wooden and sculptured iconostasis and bishop`s throne, Agios Ioannis -17th century- , Agee Anargyres -with the embroidered with gold sepulchre- and Agia Parascevi with the two large, golden candles, offering of the Turk "Veli Pasha". Nowadays, famous is the spicy ouzo (kind of Greek drink) of Tyrnavos.

Tempi: small group of houses, on Athens-Thessaloniki national road, 27km north-east of Larissa. It is built in the famous, covered with plants and trees, valley of Tempes which is lying between the mountains of Olympus and Ossa and it is splitted by Peneus River. The temple of Apollo was situated there, older than this of Delfi. Tempes valley (the name Tempes comes from the ancient verb "temno"=cut), according to the mythology, was created by a tremendous earthquake which split the mountains and opened a passage for the sea`s waters which covered the Thessalian plain.   Tempes` plain is lying between the steep and rocky south boarders of Olympus and the north slopes of the mountain of Ossa or else Kissavus and it is splitted by Peneus River.