Central Greece (called by the Greeks Sterea Ellada) is in the heart of the mainland and is one of the most mountainous regions of Greece. The geographical position is responsible for the climatic differences in the area, dry in the interior and mild on the coast. Because it is such a large area, it is also the most diverse region of Greece.
Sterea Ellada is divided into six departments: Etoloakarnania, Evritania, Fokida, Fthiotia, Boeotia and the island of Evia.
The capital of Sterea Ellada is Lamia.
Evia is close to the mainland and therefore also belongs to Sterea Ellada. However I have posted Evia on this site under the Sporades, because Evia and these islands are often combined with each other.
Also, the district Attica is actually the 7th department of Sterea Ellada. For convenience, I have placed this region separately on this site.
The biggest attraction in this area is the archaeological site Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo (god of light). Before Apollo is appropriated to the sanctuary, the land belonged to Goddess Gaia ("Mother Earth") that the sanctuary had guarded by a serpent (Pithonas). With one of his arrows Apollo had managed to kill the snake and since then waved Apollo sway over the sanctuary, the religious and spiritual center of ancient Greece. Many came to consult the predictions of the priestesses on important state matters as war and peace or personal problems. The glory of the oracle continued almost unabated, throughout antiquity, but with the rise of Christianity became the sanctuary into disrepair and eventually becomes obsolete.
Along the road from Arachova to Delphi (nearby the sanctuary of Apollo) you can visit also the sanctuary of Athens.
Sterea Ellada is divided into six departments: Etoloakarnania, Evritania, Fokida, Fthiotia, Boeotia and the island of Evia.
The capital of Sterea Ellada is Lamia.
Evia is close to the mainland and therefore also belongs to Sterea Ellada. However I have posted Evia on this site under the Sporades, because Evia and these islands are often combined with each other.
Also, the district Attica is actually the 7th department of Sterea Ellada. For convenience, I have placed this region separately on this site.
The biggest attraction in this area is the archaeological site Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo (god of light). Before Apollo is appropriated to the sanctuary, the land belonged to Goddess Gaia ("Mother Earth") that the sanctuary had guarded by a serpent (Pithonas). With one of his arrows Apollo had managed to kill the snake and since then waved Apollo sway over the sanctuary, the religious and spiritual center of ancient Greece. Many came to consult the predictions of the priestesses on important state matters as war and peace or personal problems. The glory of the oracle continued almost unabated, throughout antiquity, but with the rise of Christianity became the sanctuary into disrepair and eventually becomes obsolete.
Along the road from Arachova to Delphi (nearby the sanctuary of Apollo) you can visit also the sanctuary of Athens.