Arachova (Greek: Αράχωβα) is a town, and a municipality of which this town is the seat, located in the western part of the prefecture of Viotia. It is one of the highest towns. It is connected with GR-48 linking Amfissa and Livadeia with curvy roads westward to Delphi and GR-29 with curvy roads linking to villages near the Gulf of Corinth and Distomo. It is located SE of Amfissa, S of Lamia, W of Livadeia, 16o km NW of Athens, NE of Itea, N of Desfina and 12 km E of Delphi. Including Hydra, it is one of the municipalities that only has one commune and two settlements.

The name is derived from the South Slavic orah, walnut, and denotes a place planted with walnut trees.

Arachova has a school which is located in the south and the central part, a lyceum, a gymnasium, a church, a small post office and a square (plateia) in the centre with the town hall of Ano Pogoni.

The urban houses lies from west to east on a hill with a slope of 45 to 50°. The urban area are rectangular. The area around Arachova is mainly grasslands and rocky landscape with a few bushes. It sits on a mountain which is located in the south and the Parnassus mountains in the north. It sits above the valley where a river flows to Livadeia and the Cephissus River.

Arachova is a touristic attraction because of the proximity to popular Delphi but was developed in the late 20th century with a ski resort.

The main products are olives.

The traditions and popular activities are maintained and are celebrated by the inhabitants. Traditional dances, the reviving of the fight of Arachova against the Turks as well as meals. Traditional cheese include Formaella (which is sold only in Arachova) and Tsipouro (a grappa like liquor).

The skiing resorts of Parnassus are situated in the northwest on the Parnassus. It is the most modern and largest skiing resorts in Greece.

Source: wikipedia





And now enjoy some photos I shot last weekend on my 3day trip there


The clock

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v358/221/16/802958825/n802958825_937081_7975.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1500/221/16/802958825/n802958825_1059421_9383.jpg


View of the town

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v358/221/16/802958825/n802958825_937157_2377.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1500/221/16/802958825/n802958825_1059454_310.jpg


Typical building in the upper town

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v358/221/16/802958825/n802958825_937158_3078.jpg


And a funny picture...

The "perfect" parking style

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1500/221/16/802958825/n802958825_1059455_1363.jpg

Hahahahahaha!!!!

The last photo is for not stealing it. haahahha.

Or its owner always forgets to lock so he found a new way to protect his car from stealing.

:hilarious

btw nice pics...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/Ar-arxi.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/548557000_226c181fc3_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/518390386_19945089cc_o.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/477139684_50416b7b1e_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/46262861_b489daee9b_o.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/328876925_94d42769b1_o.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/2394292175_21d3c09273_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/2393147534_458cf13247_o.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/2282892719_34c910a958_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/2282869605_7161e19918_b.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z222/Ares_K_album/skyscraper/2226004265_647f359792_b.jpg

They need to remove those telephone poles though. They destroy a beautiful village.

pics from Flickr

^^Yes, indeed, these poles ruin the scenic character of the village. Anyway, I wonder when these pictures were taken. Arachova seems so empty, without people and you can actually take a decent photo:lol:...I went there a month ago and it was full of people, cars everywhere, the central road was jammed and every joint in the town was full of people. Imagine what happens now that the snow has fallen and the ski resort is open!

it looks fantastic! the last pic is amazing!

Beautiful pictures. :okay:

Amazing pics :okay:

I have to go here

Arahova is nice but in winter it is almost completely destroyed by the constant traffic that crosses the main (and largely only) road of the village. Combined with buses for Delphi and the Parnassos ski resort, it is a complete mess, with long queues, noise, angry drivers, often need for cars to go back to allow the buses through the narrow streets etc, very narrow pavements for pedestrians etc etc.

All this mess can be avoided if they built a by-pass road (periferiako) which avoids crossing the centre of Arahova in order to reach Delphi and the Parnasos mountain. But, I suspect, the reason why this has not happened is that the local shops (especially those renting ski equipment) are afraid that they will lose customers if the through-traffic stops. Of course, it is the typical short sighted attitude because the village would gain a lot in tourism (and quality of life for the residents) if the through traffic was reduced...