Arachova History

Arachova History, Greece: Information about the history of Arachova

The origins of Arachova are lost in the past. It is said that could the town may have been established around the early to the mid 9th century, although this area did not hold the same name it is known by today.

One of the earliest findings is a prehistoric cave on Livadi, near the Arahova Corycian Cave, or ‘Coryceo Antro’ in Greek, that was used as a temple dedicated to God Pan. According to tradition, the women from the surrounding areas used to gather in this location every five years wearing disguises, and they danced under the light of the torches the whole night.

These generals were Epistrophos and Schedias, and the towns they belonged to, were placed around the area where Arachova is settled today.

Later on, Philip II of Macedonia destroyed them around 334 BC, causing their inhabitants to get dispersed over the hills. Then, in a year that is unknown, Arachova was built and became the new town in the area.

The following important testimonies about Arachova are given by the pilgrims from all over the world, and from famous people who went through this town since the 14th century AC.

Some decades later, in 1826, the Greeks defeated the Turks and the name of their chief, Georgios Karaiskakis became very important in the history of the country, as they defeated the Turkish troops and their chief Moustafabey.

In paralell to these facts, we can quote the mythologic version, which indicates that the God Apollo shot his arrow from a ravine in Delphi and killed the dragon that threatened the sources of water in Arkoudorema placed above the rock of Petritis, above Arachova.Apollo is also said to have established his oracle in this town.

The name ‘Arachova’ is apparently given to the place because of the many walnut trees that grow in the area, since the two Slavian words it is composed of are ‘Ara’, and ‘hova’, meaning ‘walnut trees’.

There is another possibility, however, as the town has also been known as ‘Rahova’, a term that parts from two Geek words, ‘Rachi’ and ‘Vio’. Their meaning refers to those who live on the hills of a mountain, and this concerns the location of Arachova, as it is built on five small hills.

Along the centuries, Arachova played an important role that made its name very famous in Greek history. The first record that refers to this town is the Illiad by Homer, in which two famous generals from the old towns of Anemoria and Kiparissos are mentioned, in the framework of the Trojan War in 2000 BC.

This information is known to be true even today, although it may seem too good to be real! The Italian Kiriakos, who visited the town in 1435, Spon from France in 1676, the Swede Sturzen Becker in 1784, and the English Clark in 1801 described Arachova as “a well populated town plenty of churches”.

Also, the Metropolitan Bishop of Athens, Meletios, wrote that Arachova was “the most famous town in Parnassus”, while Lord Byron described the Arachovian women in 1809 as “very caring and polite”.

Then the English painter Rey wrote about the “proud and big stature of the men of this village”, and referred to the women stating that they were “able to become the best models in the art of sculpture”.

Tradition also explains the incident between the Greek and Turkish chiefs, saying that the Arachovian ancient ancestors mortally injured the chief of Galats, identified as ‘Vrennos’, which in combination to the abundant snow falling that night, caused the withdrawal of the enemies.

Today, Arachova keeps attracting people and added some positive facts to its features, such as the popular festival of Agios Georgios, and its closeness to the ski centres of Parnassos.

Although many of its traditions remain untouched, tourism has became its main industry, as Arachova is known as a great holiday resort for the whole year.

.......................................................................................................................................................
Back: + Arachova Home + About Arachova + Sterea Greece + Greece History + Greece Home More: + Pictures + Map + Hotels	Related: + Museums + Villages

Greece > Arachova Greece > Arachova History

top of the page

More links:hotel arachova | products || athens greece | greece maps | greece travel | greece hotels | travel links

<< back ::

:: sitemap >>


	: Creation and Copyright by & Photography by