Arachova (Greek: Αράχωβα, also Αράχοβα) is a mountain town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia. Since the 2011 local government reform it is a municipal unit, part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra.[2] It is a tourist destination due to its location in the mountains, its traditions and its proximity to the town of Delphi. The town is a popular day or weekend trip destination from Attica and a gathering place for the rich and famous. This is not to be confused with Caryae (also spelled Karye) which is a town in the Southern Peleponnese that used to be called Arachova.
Arachova
Αράχωβα | |
|---|---|
Clockwise from top: View of Arachova, Arachova Town Hall, view of the center, a street in Arachova, Arachova Clock Tower, Arachova Square, Church of Agios Georgios | |
  Arachova Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates: 38°29′N 22°35′E / 38.483°N 22.583°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Central Greece |
| Regional unit | Boeotia |
| Municipality | Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 139.45 km2 (53.84 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 968 m (3,176 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 2,439 |
| • Municipal unit density | 17/km2 (45/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 320 04 |
| Area code(s) | 22670 |
| Vehicle registration | ΒΙ |
| Website | arachova.com |
Greek rebels under Georgios Karaiskakis defeated the Ottomans at the 1826 Battle of Arachova.
The Formaela cheese from Arachova has been designated as a protected designation of origin.[3] Nearby Arachova, modern ski facilities are popular with visitors. Although contemporary culture tends to outdo regional folklore, the town maintains some local customs and demonstrates them at celebrations on 23 April, in the honor of the patron Saint George.
Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its "brusque", the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts and woodcut creations as well.
Historical significance
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
Geography
editArachova is situated at about a 970 m (3182 ft) elevation on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus, above the valley of the river Pleistos. The municipal unit has an area of 139.448 km2.[4] Arachova is located 8 km E of Delphi, 9 km northwest of Distomo, 18 km southeast of Amfissa and 26 km west of Livadeia. The Greek National Road 48 (Naupactus - Delphi - Livadeia) passes through the town. The Parnassos Ski Centre is situated to the north.
Climate
editArachova has a temperate climate. Snow falls in winter, though its sheltered location means that it receives less snow than areas at similar altitudes on the north side of Parnassos mountain. Summers are warm with pleasant nights.
| Climate data for Arachova (1.069m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 5.9 (42.6) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.5 (52.7) |
13.5 (56.3) |
19.8 (67.6) |
24.2 (75.6) |
26.7 (80.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
23.8 (74.8) |
19.3 (66.7) |
13 (55) |
9.2 (48.6) |
16.9 (62.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.2 (32.4) |
2 (36) |
4.6 (40.3) |
6.4 (43.5) |
11.2 (52.2) |
15.5 (59.9) |
18 (64) |
18.7 (65.7) |
15.5 (59.9) |
12.3 (54.1) |
7.5 (45.5) |
4.7 (40.5) |
9.7 (49.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 129.4 (5.09) |
62.1 (2.44) |
75.3 (2.96) |
62.6 (2.46) |
32.4 (1.28) |
35.8 (1.41) |
44.3 (1.74) |
36.3 (1.43) |
75.2 (2.96) |
56.2 (2.21) |
97.3 (3.83) |
125.6 (4.94) |
832.5 (32.75) |
| Source: http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/arahova/ (2019 – 2020 averages) | |||||||||||||
Historical population
edit| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2,910 |
| 1991 | 3,084 |
| 2001 | 4,158 |
| 2011 | 2,770 |
| 2021 | 2,439 |
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View of the town hall
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A street in Arachova
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View of Arachova
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Another street of the city
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Arachova Viewpoint
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
- ^ WIPO
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.