A Rally of Culture and Spiritual Discovery
by Sofia Papaspiliopoulou
They say a journey can change your life. Along the way, you may redefine your identity and sail freely and optimistically towards new horizons.
This year, we follow the route of the Acropolis Rally, hoping to uncover fragments of the past, trails in nature, and spiritual havens that might inspire an unexpected path… So, walk with us along the paths that will lead you to a rally of identity and experiences!
Day 1
The first day of the Acropolis Rally, and Lamia takes the spotlight. Before or after the race start, take some time to explore the cultural gems of the city.
Folklore Museum of Fthiotida in Lamia
Entering the Folklore Museum of Fthiotida feels like stepping onto the set of a film narrating the recent rural past of Greece. The collections of everyday items and professional tools form a vivid picture of an era that seems distant and perhaps forgotten. Traditional costumes, jewelry, portraits, looms, decorative textiles, embroideries, kitchenware, household appliances, sewing items, agricultural tools now lost to time, and even a bridal bedroom invite you to relive the way of life of the people who created them and travel with them through time.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00-13:00
Saturday and Sunday: closed
Traditional men’s and women’s costumes from the wider region of Lamia, elaborately embroidered, decorate the Folklore Museum of Fthiotida and reveal aspects of local culture
Photo@Laographic Museum of Fthiotida
The cooking utensils of the traditional house “illuminate” aspects of the everyday life of the locals in the past
Photo@Laographic Museum of Fthiotida
Tools and machines of the historical period before the industrial revolution are “revived” at the Folklore Museum of Fthiotida, as well as professions that have been eliminated, such as the glue maker.
Photo@Laographic Museum of Fthiotida
Lamia Municipal Art Gallery “Alekos Kontopoulos”
In the birthplace of the renowned painter Alekos Kontopoulos, you can admire over 100 works by this pioneer of abstract art at the Municipal Art Gallery. The permanent exhibition of Kontopoulos’ works serves as a guide to his artistic evolution, while at the same time revealing his deep concern for infusing spirituality and sincerity into art. Additionally, you can enjoy permanent collections featuring works by artists such as Panagiotis Gravvalos and Faidon Anastasiadis, along with various temporary exhibitions.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00-14:00
Saturday and Sunday: closed
Day 2
The rally route continues, unraveling lost centuries of emperors, stories of religious faith, and mythological heroes.
The Byzantine Museum of Fthiotida sheds light on a wide historical period of the region. You’ll discover treasures ranging from early Christian times to the Byzantine era. The museum’s exhibits, including mosaics, coins, and ceramic vessels, unfold the everyday life of each period, the level of craftsmanship, and the ideological influences that shaped the society behind them. The museum’s halls dedicated to religious faith are also of particular interest. The fragment of a marble table from Ypati and the marble iconostasis from the Church of Taxiarchis in Agnanti are standout pieces that will leave a lasting impression.
Opening hours:
Daily: 8:30-15:30, except Tuesdays
Holy Monastery of Agathonos
Almost hidden within a dense forest, the Monastery of Saint Agathonos has stood intact for six hundred years. According to oral tradition, there once was an older church that suffered a collapse, and during this time, the icon of the Virgin Mary mysteriously disappeared. As the story goes, shortly thereafter, the monk Agathonas discovered the icon nearby and used his own resources to build the katholikon (main church) of the modern monastery at the very spot where it remains today. After visiting the church, take a tour of the monastery’s museum, which houses many valuable relics and sacred remains. Your visit isn’t complete yet, as a pleasant surprise awaits you at the monastery’s animal sanctuary. Here, you will find peacocks, pheasants, partridges, and even deer.
Visiting hours:
Daily: From sunrise to sunset
Hercules’ Grove at Pyra
Near the village of Pyra, on Mount Oiti, myth meets reality. It is said that the mythical hero Hercules, suffering from the poisoned tunic given to him by his wife, Deianeira, asked Philoctetes to light a pyre so he could engulf himself in flames and escape his agony. Seeing his son suffer, Zeus transported him to Olympus on a cloud, turning him into a demigod. A stop at Hercules’ Grove, with its flowing waters, enchanting greenery, small bridges, and hammocks, will surely transport you to a mystical realm.
Day 3
It’s time to venture into southern trails. “Compete” with the Rally as you head towards the Isthmus of Corinth with a hike and a stop for archaeological explorations.
Hiking in Tithorea
(Tithorea – Trypi Waterfalls)
For hiking and exploration enthusiasts, we recommend a challenging but highly rewarding route that starts in the village of Tithorea and ends at the magnificent Trypi Waterfall, standing at 82 meters tall. It is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive hiking trails in the country, despite its difficulty. The endless fir forests, rocky landscapes, almost tropical vegetation near the waterfalls, and steep gorges inspire awe and admiration in all who experience them. So, gear up and enjoy the natural beauty Greece has to offer!
Archaeological Museum of Isthmia
Just a stone’s throw from the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Isthmian Poseidon, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Isthmia. The artifacts housed here span nearly a millennium and are sure to captivate history lovers of all eras. They come from Mycenaean cemeteries in the area, the Sanctuary of Poseidon, the Hellenistic settlement of Rachi, the Roman bathhouse, the Justinian Wall, and the port of Kenchreai. One key reason to visit the museum is to see the glass mosaics from Kenchreai, a unique form of wall-mounted glass mosaics from the 4th century AD, discovered in the eastern harbor of Kenchreai in ancient Corinth.
Opening hours:
Daily: 8:30-15:30, except Tuesdays.
Day 4
The excitement reaches its peak on the final day of the Rally. End your trip in the region of Phthiotis with three different alternatives for relaxation and exploration.
Thermopylae Historical Information Center
The legendary “Battle of Thermopylae” comes to life before your eyes with the modern technological tools of the Thermopylae Historical Information Center. By wearing special virtual reality glasses, you’ll be transported to the battlefield, observing the weaponry of both sides and the Persian passage through the Anopaia trail. Next, you’ll have access to interactive tables that offer valuable information about the broader historical context of the Persian Wars, the causes of the conflicts, the identity of the 300 warriors who fought alongside Spartan leader Leonidas, and the enemy’s maneuvers. This is an experience you simply can’t miss!
Opening hours:
Daily: 9:00-17:00
Holy Monastery of Panagia Damasta
Away from the noise and grey buildings of the city, in a lush green landscape with panoramic views, you’ll find the Holy Monastery of Panagia Damasta. The atmosphere here exudes peace and spirituality. Historically, the monastery is significant as it served as a revolutionary center for Central Greece during the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and was a base for fighters like Athanasios Diakos. It also played an important role during the German Occupation. Inside the monastery’s church, built in the cross-in-square style with a dome, you can venerate the 16th-century icon of Panagia Vrefokratousa (Madonna and Child).
Visiting hours:
Daily: from sunrise to sunset
Asopos River Gorge – Railway Workers’ Path
Follow a trail from the late 19th century, originally created to aid in the construction of the railway network, and admire the magnificent Asopos River Gorge. The views of the high mountain slopes, with dense vegetation consisting of willows, plane trees, oaks, and aromatic plants, along with railway tunnels, bridges, and the river’s flowing waters accompanying you along the path, will enchant and impress. Before or after your hike, relax in the thermal waters of the Damasta baths, also known as Psoroneria, located in the village of Herakleia.
