Fthiotida. Fthiotida is situated in the region of Central Greece, west of prefecture Euboea and south of region Thessaly. The capital of Fthiotida (Fthiotis) is the town of Lamia (220 km northwest of Athens). This town is located southwest of the wooded mountain Othri, right on the banks of the river Sperchios.
Fthiotida is also called the cradle of Amphictyonies. The Amphictyonic league was an ancient religious association of Greek tribes. The nature is impressive, there are beautiful lakes, verdant mountains, fantastic canyons, a fascinating coastline and amazing forests.
The environment is further enhanced by ancient monuments, historical monasteries and churches.
16 km southeast of Lamia is the place "Thermopyles", which literally means "hot gates". That name is derived from the hot springs that are located here. In ancient times this was the name of a narrow pass between the mountains and the Kallidromos Maliakos gulf. In 480 BC. a historic battle took place here, the battle of Thermopyles. ‘The battle of Thermopyles’ was even filmed in 2007 and reanimated the war between the Greeks and Persians. Title of the movie "the 300 of Leonidas" starring Gerard Bultler and Lena Headay. The film is about the Spartan king Leonidas, who along with 300 Spartans fights to the last man against Persian King Xerxes and his massive army. The battle of Thermopyles has gone down in Greek history as the impossible battle which ruined the huge army of Xerxes of Persia.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Revised by Maxine van Hoften Gee