Levadia or Livadeia: the town of waters

1
Levadia or Livadeia the town of waters

• Levadia is the capital of Viotia
  Prefecture
• with a population of almost 30,000
  people.
• It is the agricultural and industrial
  centre of the Prefecture. Livadia is very
  fertile thanks to the abundant water in the
  region.
• According to mythology, Livadeia took its
  name from the hero Levados, who is reported as
  its first settler. Since ancient times Livadeia
  has constituted an important economic centre. In
  the Byzantine years, Livadeia was raided by
  Katalans, Slavs and Franks. In 1458 Livadeia was
  conquered by the Turks. The city was free again
  in 1829.

2
Trofonius oracle

• In ancient times Livadia was known with the name
  of Mideia built on the bank of the river Erkina.
  Ruins of the city (market, baths, streets) have
  been found.
• The city was known as the site of the famous
  Oracle of Zeus Trofonios. The oracle was used as
  a stage before visiting the oracle of Delphi, and
  as such, it acquired great power and riches.
  Scholars have identified the location of the
  sanctuary of Zeus and the Oracle. Ruins of the
  oracle are saved at the sources of the river
  Erkyna. In the same area there were places of
  worship of Gods and Goddess like Artemis, Hermes,
  Dionysus and of the Deities of childbirth, but
  also the Holy of Apollo and Dimitra.

3
Temple of Olympian Zeus

• Ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus

4
The castle

• It is one of the four Catalan castles in the
  country. It dates back to the 14th century. Works
  of maintenance and renovation have made the
  Castle easily accessible. The visitor can walk
  through the walls and enjoy the impressive view
  of the gorge of Krya.

5
The Tower Clock

• The tower was built at the period of the Frankish
  domination, while the clock was given to the city
  by Lord Elgjn at 1803, because he wanted, by this
  way, to be given permission to excavate the
  region in order to find the oracle of Trofonius.

6
The Watermill

• An old cotton factory at the beginning of the
  20th century operated by water power. Today the
  installations have been restored and constitute a
  model cultural centre with conference and
  exhibition halls, restaurants, cafes, etc.

7
Historical and Ethnological Museum

• It is housed in the underground of an old flour
  factory in the banks of the river.
• The residents used to wash their traditional
  woven carpets there. In the museum there are many
  objects of domestic use (tools of weaving, rural
  objects and grinding machines).

8
Museum of old professions

• The Museum was organised by the Commercial
  Association of Levadia. 

9
The area of Kria

• The most interesting sight of Livadeia is the
  area of Kria (meaning cold in Greek).
• During the last few years the Municipality has
  been proceeding to a large-scale intervention
  pertaining to the restoration of the citys
  historical centre, around the springs of Krya and
  the river Erkyna.
• Industrial, historical and listed buildings have
  been restored, the riverside areas have been
  reformed and unified, architectural monuments
  have been restored. The last stage is in
  progress it regards the creation of a social and
  environmental development park in the rivers
  section that is close to the citys exit to the
  north.

10
The river Erkina

• The particular beauty of the city is due
  to the river Erkina crossing the whole town.
• The way along the river is very beautiful with
  stone bridges, old buildings, channels, stone
  benches, etc. Also, the area of Kria constitutes
  a landscape of unique natural beauty and a place
  for recreation.

11
The gorge of Krya

• Works have been made on the road leading to the
  gorge of Krya. Thus, the visitor can walk at a
  length of 500 metres in the gorge. The paved
  street leads to a square, beyond which, the walk
  continues in a relatively rough path, leading to
  the Bridge Trihino.

12
The open stone theatre

• In the area, there is also a stone theatre that
  holds cultural events. In all the region of Krya,
  many renovations of historical or industrial
  buildings, unifications of places and
  restorations of monuments have been made.

13
Celebrations

• Easter
• The City of Levadia is well-known for its
  traditional Greek Easter celebrations. On Easter
  day people of Levadia light open fires and roast
  whole lamb on the spit and other traditional meat
  dishes.
• Visitors are invited to eat, drink and dance with
  the local inhabitants. Traditional music is
  played and traditional dance groups perform.

14
Celebrations

• Halloween
• The traditional custom "Gaitanaki", on Sunday
  during the feast of Carnival.Halloween is
  celebrated at the beginning of spring.People
  gather at the central square and dance around the
  maypole.

15
Celebrations

• Day of the patron saint
• The patron saint of Levadia is Theotokos
  (God-bearer), the mother of Jesus.
• On the 21st of November The Presentation of the
  Virgin in the Temple is celebrated in Levadia.
  It is a religious holiday and the holly icon of
  Maria is carried around the town.

16
Events

• Trofonia
• Every September, the municipality of Levadia
  organizes the Trofonia festival, a series of 20
  days cultural events in the open theatre, in the
  Gorge of Krya, with theatrical and dance
  performances, concerts, exhibitions, happenings
  etc.

17
Events

• Trade fair (panyghiri)
• By 26 October to 2 November a big trade fair
  takes place in the city. It is an open air
  market with many products at bargain prices, fun
  fairs, foods, music, etc