Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LamiaΛαμία
POP 52,000
Lamia is the capital of the prefecture of Fthiotida, midway between Delphi and Meteora.
Lamia rarely figures on travellers' itineraries, but it's a vibrant and lively place year-
round. Life here revolves around the town's rambling squares, and it is famous for its
kokoretsi
(lambs' intestines)
, kourabiedes
(almond shortcake) and
xynogalo
(sour milk).
It's the gateway to the Iti National Park.
Sights
There's a bustling street market on Riga Fereou and its side streets every Saturday morn-
ing.
Fortress
FORT
Lamia's
frourio
is worth the hike just for the views. Within it is the
Archaeological Mu-
seum
( 22310 29992; admission €2; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
, chock-a-block with amaz-
ing finds from Neolithic to Roman times, including some classical, Hellenistic and Ro-
man children's toys.
Gorgopotamos Railway Bridge
BRIDGE
The original Gorgopotamos Railway Bridge, 7km south of Lamia, was blown up by a co-
alition of British and Greek guerrilla forces on 25 November 1942, in order to delay the
German advance, and is considered one of the greatest acts of sabotage of the time. The
spectacular attack put the Greek underground on the map, and forced the Germans to di-
vert resources away from the Russian front. The reconstructed bridge spans a deep rav-
ine, with the replacement piers in stark contrast to the originals.
Thermopylae
HISTORIC SITE
About 20km southeast of Lamia is the narrow pass of Thermopylae where, in 480 BC,
Leonidas and a band of 300 brave Spartans managed to temporarily halt the invading
Persian army of Xerxes. There's little here now, except for a statue of Leonidas. It hon-
ours the heroic battle site where the Spartans ultimately perished against overwhelming
odds.
