|
Karditsa
302km from Athens
Karditsa is
one of the fifty-one
prefectures of Greece. It is within the
Thessaly periphery. It is mostly an agricultural
prefecture. Capital of this prefecture is the city of
Karditsa, a small city of approximately 35,000 people.
It is one of the prefectures that have no provinces.
Karditsa is known for the beautiful countryside and friendly
people. The building of
Dimotiki Agora (Δημοτική Αγορά) or Public Market is
found in the city and is one of
UNESCO's protected cultural monuments.
The city is also
an important centre of knowledge, as based there are the
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the
University of Thessaly, the Faculty of Wood and
Ferniture Technology and the Faculty of Forestry Technology
of the
Educational an Technological Institution of Larissa.
There is also a police academy.
Karditsa is about
300
kilometers from
Athens and can be reached by bus or train from Athens
and
Thessaloniki.
The western half
of the prefecture is dominated by the
Pindus mountains.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karditsa
Setting out for
the Meteora from Athens, one eventually
comes to Karditsa, the capital of the
homonymous prefecture, built on the banks of a tributary of
the Pinios. With its three main squares and
lovely Pafsilipo Park, this new town is a
model of town-planning. It has three museums
- the Christian Museum, devoted to religious art, and two
exhibiting folk art.
It is worth taking
the trip to N. Plastira, an artificial lake
800 metres above sea level, set amidst the spectacular
Agrafa mountains, the unspoiled villages of
Mesenikolas, Bezoula,
Neohori and Kastania
(where rooms can be rented for the night); as well as the
summer resort of Neraida where there is an
inn.
In the vicinity of
the Megdova (Tavropos) dam, four parks have
been created, and the whole region will be developed
for tourism. Other poles of attraction for the
visitor are the Smokovo and Kaitsa spas,
Filia with its sanctuary to Athena
Itonia, the Mycenean beehive tomb
(1500 B.C.) outside Georgiko and the many
other ancient and Byzantine monuments
scattered throughout the prefecture.
Karditsa,
the capital of the prefecture of Thessalia, is a place for
nature lovers and explorers of its wonderful wildlife. Built
in the valley of Thessaly, it is excellently protected and
decorated by the surrounding mountains. Its main produce is
cotton, with a large amount of production and export.
Karditsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, its
oldest town being Arni, and it prospered greatly in c 4th
BC. It was liberated from the Turks in 1881 and in 1941 was
the first Greek town to be liberated from the Germans.
Today it
prospers as a commercial and cultural centre. A point of
reference is Pavsilipo, the beautiful huge park in the town
centre.
It is a modern city with all the comforts, full of life. The
appealing architecture of the Ancient remains of the Public
Market of Karditsas, which claimed national distinction from
Brussels in 1992, enchant the visitor.
The
Metropolitan church of St. Constantine and the Church of
Zoodochou Pygis with its wonderful carved wooden temple
deserve at least one visit, whilst the tradition and history
of the area is lodged in the excellent Folklore Museum, with
the portrayal of the "Karagounikon" family. Two festivals,
the Pan Hellenic Theatre Festival and the Popular Music
festival define the cultural life of Karditsa.
The
excursions from Karditsa to the little traditional villages
are superb. Pezoula is especially pretty. You can enjoy a
wonderful journey through the sycamores, fir trees and
chestnut trees in order to see the view of the famous Lake
Plastyra, built on the banks of the Great River. Even a
visit to the man-made lake of Tavropos is enchanting due to
its crystal torrents and lush vegetation.
The
waters of Pezoula will satisfy kayak lovers to the utmost,
while those who love mountain-biking, horse riding, archery
and all mountain sports will enjoy the surrounding areas.
Before
you leave you should buy some of the tasty local cheeses,
tsipouro and sausages, as well as the best honey and local
wine.
The unquestionable beauty of Karditsa, the exquisite capital
of the plain of Thessalia, the hospitality of its
inhabitants and way of life, will remain alive in the mind
forever.
http://www.choosegreece.com/menu.asp?id=17&item=14
Vacancies in
Karditsa
karditsa01
http://www.eurotravelling.net/greece/karditsa/karditsa_gallery.htm
http://www.vacation.net.gr/p/thesali3.html
http://www.agn.gr/hellas/thessaly/karditsa.htm
http://www.culture.gr/maps/thessal/karditsa/karditsa.html
http://www.gogreece.com/travel/select.html?CityID=111
http://www.ktel.org/karditsa/en/
http://www.greecebyclick.com/regions/central/index.cfm
http://www.cslab.ece.ntua.gr/~kblekas/karditsa.html
|