Ancient city, "city-state" and metropolis of the Hesperian Lokras, with 70,000 inhabitants (according to the traveler Pausanias 180 AD). It took its name from the daughter of Makaros (son of Aeolus) Amphissa or from the verb amfiennymi (=to surround and clothe), because it is surrounded by mountains. In 338 BC during the Third Holy War, it was destroyed by Philip, in 30 BC. it was settled by the Aetolians and became populous. In the late Byzantine times it took the name of Salona and in the Middle Ages it was conquered by the Franks and made the seat of a Barony (Barony of Salonon - La - Sola, with the Stromoncourt dynasty). In the liberation struggle of 1821, it was the first city of Roumeli to rebel with Panourgias, Gouras and Isaias Bishop of Salona. On March 27th, Panourgias captured the city and on April 10th, he captured the Castle of Salona. Salona (Amfissa) then became the capital of Eastern Greece with the establishment of the Supreme Court of Salona, ​​where the Constitution of Eastern Greece was passed. Today Amfissa is the capital of the Prefecture of Fokida, with approximately 12,000 inhabitants and the seat of all Public Services. It has a modern State Hospital, Court of First Instance, Spiritual Center, Prisoners' Preventory, Archaeological and folklore museum, Municipal Library of 40,000 volumes which is constantly enriched, Municipal Philharmonic and Choir, Municipal Conservatory and Art Workshop, Cultural and Sports Clubs. Also, T.E.I. operate in the city. (Tourism Business Department), Unified High School, T.E.E., two High Schools, Evening High School, I.E.K., Primary Schools, Kindergartens, Nurseries and Nursing School. They still survive against the ravages of time traditional crafts: Tanneries in the traditional district of Harmaina, bell makers and rope makers. A large portion of the inhabitants is engaged in olive cultivation.

Source: FOKIDA REGIONAL UNIT
www.fokida.gr

DELPHI

Although the first settlement in the area of ​​Delphi dates much earlier than the prevalence of the cult of Apollo (8th century BC), Delphi has remained in history for its mighty Oracle. Over time, in fact, the entire mountain of Parnassus was dedicated to the God of light and music and passed into mythology as the sacred abode of the Muses and Graces.
Because of the religious and political power it exercised, many city-states sometimes respected it and honored it with monuments and anathemats of incalculable value and sometimes destroyed and plundered it claiming its guardianship. The Oracle will definitively close the Byzantine era by decree of Emperor Theodosius. The numerous finds exhibited today in the Delphi Museum are only a few examples of the magnitude of the power, respect and wealth he experienced.

Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou