Tithorea - Village of Tithorea

Village of Tithorea

Ancient Tithorea was a Phocian city, built on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, on the exact location of the modern village of Tithorea. The ancient city was built after the destruction of the nearby cities by Xerxes' Persian army in 480 BC. According to Herodotus, inhabitants from ruined cities located on the banks of the Cephissus fled to the foot of the Parnassus around Tithorea. After the Persians left, the Phocians settled around Tithorea where a fortress was built, the city flourished and assimilated the older ancient cities of Neon, Tritaea and Parapotamioi. The city reached its peak in the 3rd century BC, when it minted its own coins.

Modern Tithorea is a traditional settlement with stone houses, an ancient wall, a castle, and a water mill. Other landmarks includes Avva Zosima, Agiarsali and Agios Georgios (Saint George) churches, a forested area part of NATURA 2000, a monument in the town square and an early Christian mosaic at Saint John dating from the 3rd to 4th century AD. Of special interest is Odysseas Androutsos' square, with a breah-taking view of the steep gorge of Kahala with the caves of Odysseas Androutsos and of an impressive waterfall. Before 1926 it was known as Velitsa (Βελίτσα), a Slavic toponym.

Nearby places include Kato Tithorea to the northeast and Agia Marina to the east.