Livadeia is the capital of Viotia Prefecture. Livadeia is a commercial and economic centre of the Prefecture. The old town is built at the foot of the mount Elikonas. The particular beauty of the city is due to the river Erkyna crossing the whole town. The Municipality includes, apart from the homonym city, the villages Lafysti, Analipsi, Elikonas, Petra, Tsoukalades. According to the mythology, Livadeia beard its name from the fabulous hero Levados, who is reported as its first settler. According to some traditions, the city at the pre-historic period, was named Midia and was built on a hill. From the ancient years, Livadeia constituted an important economic centre. At 395 b.C. the city was conquered by Lisandros and later robbed by Arhelaos. In the Byzantine years, Livadeia suffered from a lot of raids, from Katalans, Slavs and Franks. In 1458 Livadeia was conquered by Turks. Of course, during the Ottoman domination its residents had a better behaviour from the Turks than other cities, because Livadeia was under the favour of the mother of the Sultan. The city get rid finally of the Turks at 1829. After the removal of the Turks, Ioannis Kapodistrias founded a school in Livadeia.
Sightseeings
·Holy of Trofonios. Elements of the previously flourishing holy are saved at the sources of the river Erkyna. Some foundations, from the homonym temple, have been remained. The famous oracle was the focal point of this space. In the same area, apart from the holy of Trofonios there were places of worship of Agathi Tichi (Virtuous Chance), Agathos Demonas (Virtuous Demon), of Gods and Goddess like Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus and of the Deities of childbirth, but also the Holy of Apollo and Dimitra. Ancient city. The ancient city was built on the right bank of the river Erkyna. Ruins of the city (market, baths, streets) were found. The castle of Ljvadeia. It is one from the hardly four Catalan castles of the country. It is dated from the 14th century. Works of maintenance and re-establishment made the Castle, easily accessible. From the Catalan castle you can walk through the walls and enjoy the impressive view to the gorge of Krya.
The Tower of the 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 get the permission from the Viotia representatives to allow him to conduct the archaeological excavations in the region, in order to find the oracle of Trofonios.
Watermill. It was built in the beginning of the 20th century and functioned as a flour-mill. Today the installations have been restored and constitute a model of a cultural centre with a congress and exhibition rooms.
Historical and Ethnological Museum. It is found in the installations of the old factory of Maglara, in the banks of the river. The old factory included cotton gin, flour-mill and water-mill. It was a place, where the residents washed their traditional woven carpets. In the Museum many objects of domestic use (tools of weaving, rural objects and grinding machines) are exposed. There is also a room where, the work of the historian and writer, Takis Lappas, from Livadeia, is exposed.
Museum of Old Professions in Livadeia. The Museum was organised by the Commercial Association of Livadeia.
The small church of Aghia Jerousalem (Saint Jerusalem) dominates above the gorge of the river Erkyna, in the cave of Zoodohos Pigi.
Natural beauties
Livadeia presents a lot of natural beauties. The river Erkyna, that crosses the town, creates a particular picture of the town. The way along the river is very beautiful with little stone bridges, old buildings, channels, stone benches. Also, the area of Krya constitutes a landscape of unique natural beauty and a place for recreation. It constitutes the exit of the gorge. In the area, there is also a stone theatre that entertains cultural events. In all the region of Krya, there have been made many renovations of historical or industrial buildings, unifications of places and restorations of monuments. Also, in Krya, the eminent springs are found, known as Lithi (Lethe) and Mnimosini (Memory). 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 and reach easily the stone theatre. The paved street leads to a square, beyond which, the walk continues in a relatively rough path, leading to the Bridge Trihino.
To enjoy a unique view, you have to go to the location Megali Zagara of the mount Elikonas. The mountainous villages Elikonas (Zeriki), Lafystj, Analipsi, Pera Chorio and Tsoukalades are also places of particular beauty. In Lafysti, a Museum of Natural History is under construction.
Useful Information
Events
Each September the Municipality of Livadeia organises "Trofonia", a series of 20 days cultural events in the open theatre, in the gorge of Krya etc. Also, by 26 October until 2 November a big trade fair is entertained in the city. A traditional festival (panyghiri) is organised on 21 November, for the celebration of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. You have to come to Livadeia at Easter where you can participate to the musical and dance events and to enjoy the traditional lambs on the spit. Very interesting is also the traditional custom "Gaitanaki", on Sunday during the feast of Carnival.
Infrastructures
In Livadeia you will find a lot of hotels. Also, there are a lot of taverns, steak-houses and bars of high quality. You will find lodgings, in the mountainous village Elikonas (Zeriki). In all the villages of the Municipality you will find small taverns and traditional coffee houses.