Municipality of Parnassos

P o l i d r o s s o s (Souvala): Capital of the Municipality of Parnassos, chief village of 1,500 inhabitants, built on the foot of Parnassos by residents who came down from the current Apano Souvala following the destructive earthquake in AD 1870. It has plenty of waters, a nice view to the basin of Lilea-Gravia and it is a significant tourist resort with its healthy climate and traditional Roumeli taverns. In a distance of 2km to the west, there is a Byzantine monument of big value, the church "Palaiopanagia" (or "Mavromantila" or "Ag. Eleousa"), a cruciform church of a rare architectural style, and ruins of an ancient temple (maybe of Charites).

On the road to Parnassos and for 6 km it is situated on its slopes which are covered by a dense forest of dark pines, Ano Polidrossos (Pano Souvala), a picturesque tourist settlement with plenty of waters and taverns. Continuing in a distance of 8km through an amazing route of fir trees, pines and cedars and fresh springs we arrive to Parnassos Ski Centre. The Municipality of Parnassos is formed by: Eptalofos (Agoriani), a very beautiful, historic, amphitheatrically built (on seven hills) tourist village, at 850-900m near to the Parnassos full of fir trees slopes. Very green, with plenty of springs and natural beauties, nice taverns, hospitals and rooms for rent, Eptalofos is one of the best tourist resorts of Parnassos for all seasons. A historic village, refuge of the Byzantine Emperors Komninos, native village of the fighters and the chieftains of 1821 (Komnas, Thodorou and Stamatis Trakas and others), it was completely burned during the occupation.

Amongst region's sightseeing: the several country chapels, the picturesque springs (in particular "Manna"), "Elatos" "Finnish" village which is made of wood, the National Park of Parnassos, the sacred cave of Panas and the Nymphes "Korikeion Andron", Eptastomos (bottomless cesspool) and, finally, the Parnassos Ski Centre. With E 4 sign from village's central square two routes are starting, one to Delphi and the other to Kaloskopi. It is worthy to follow the charming route through the full of fir trees Parnassos to Arachova (24km.) or its peak (Liakoura) to see the sun rising which remains unforgettable or to rest at the refuge of the Greek Climbing Association . L i l e a ( K a t o Agoriani). It is a village built on the site of ancient Lilea, which was inhabited during the end of the last century by residents of Agoriani. During its history it has become the native town of many celebrities. Area Sight- seeing: the ruins of the ancient city (walls and castle) and the two chief springs (Kefalovrisa).