Amfissa is the capital of the county of Delphi.
On the top of this traditional looking town lays its beautiful castle, known as the Castle of Amfissa. It is one of the most interesting and well preserved castles in our country. The town’s own architecture has traditional origins and influences, remenicient of the 1800’s. The area of Amfissa or Salona as is was historically known in the years of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire was an effective catalyst during the years of the revolution. Some of the most important summits and battles took place in the city.
Ghost of Harmaina
There is a fascinating story about the Ghost of Amfissa that has traveled around the world. It has a universal appeal, the story is like a Shakespearean tragedy. A love story of a young couple that couldn’t fulfil their love and come to a tragic end. The story takes place in the past, though the time is not always clear in many of it’s tellings. A Folktale that is recounted every year during the last days of Carnival in February. It is celebrated with a paganesque ritual where many of the locals dress up with goat skins and bells in something reminiscent of Halloween. Instead of Pumpkins and sweets the locals exchange traditional dishes, local wines and olives. In addition to the goat skins, they also paint their faces in dark colours, symbolising the working class of the younger lover of the story and its derivations from Harmaina, a northern neighbourhood of the town, whose economy was based mostly of its leather processing workshops which always needed hard work and labour.
Olive Grove of Amfissa
Although the grove technically covers most of the county of Delphi, it is known as the grove of Amfissa as the town has always been reliant on the groves as the foundation of its economy. Amfissa’s olives are some of the most famous olives in the world. The olive is fundamental to the Mediterranean diet and the most important thing on any greek table! According to a greek myth two gods were fighting to be protectors of the Athenians: Poseidon and Athena. Athena finally won because she offered to the people the olive as a gift in contrast with Poseidon who gave them a horse. This myth demonstrates just how vital the olive crop is to the Greeks and nowhere is there a better place to see this connection than Amfissa.
Cultural Centre of Amfissa
Amfissa is a cultural hub for the region. The cultural centre of Amfissa plays host to many important plays and cultural events. At times the local community convenes here when important decisions must be made. The place is also employed as a cinema for the city at times, with many of the latest releases screened there.
More about Amfissa and its myths can be found here: http://www.greece-is.com/travel-guide-ghost-stories-and-more-in-cultured-amfissa/
