Desfina
Encyclopedia
Desfina is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of Phocis
, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi
, of which it is a municipal unit. At the 2001 census, its population was 2,431. It is found in foot of mountain Kirfis in altitude 680m. and it occupies an extent of 200.000 str. roughly which is extended up to the Corinthian Gulf. Desfina is built amphitheatrically and is located about 200 kilometres of Athens
, roughly 35 kilometres of Livadia
, 16 kilometres of Antikyra
, 30 kilometres of Amfissa
, 18 kilometres of Itea
and roughly 30 kilometres of Delphi
and Arachova
.
One of the most important rebels of the Greek revolution, Bishop Isaias of Salona, fought for the liberation of Desfina until his execution by the Turks on 22 April 1821 and encouraged Athanasios Diakos
for the battle of Alamana. Also, Isaias gave the signal for the beginning of revolution of Central Greece
at the region of Prophet Daniel. His residence is found in Desfina and has been converted to a museum. In Desfina there is the Monastery of Honest Precursor which was distinguished at the revolution on 1821 as well as the very important Byzantine monument, the temple of Brigadiers near to the church of Saint Haralampos that dates to the 12th century.
Various products that often attract individuals from distant parts are produced at Desfina. The most important products in the region are the following:
and the Easter
are celebrated with particular way mainly in villages and small town. Desfina is a town where the customs, the traditions and the feasts keep still to a large extent. The most important festivities take place in August. The most important event is the feast of Koimisis of Virgin Mary (Virgin Mary), which is celebrated on 15 August with events and festivals.
ii) A basketball - volleyball court was built in 1999
iii) A modern ground of football 5x5 with synthetic sod was built in 2001
iv) A complete and modern gym was established in 2005
Phocis
Phocis is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece. It stretches from the western mountainsides of Parnassus on the east to the mountain range of Vardousia on the west, upon the Gulf of Corinth...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi
Delphi
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god...
, of which it is a municipal unit. At the 2001 census, its population was 2,431. It is found in foot of mountain Kirfis in altitude 680m. and it occupies an extent of 200.000 str. roughly which is extended up to the Corinthian Gulf. Desfina is built amphitheatrically and is located about 200 kilometres of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, roughly 35 kilometres of Livadia
Livadia
Livadia can refer to:* Livadiya , a suburb of Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine, where the Livadia Palace is situated.* Livadiya, Primorsky Krai, a suburb of Nakhodka, Russia, near Mount Livadia* Livadeia , a city in Boeotia, Greece....
, 16 kilometres of Antikyra
Antikyra
Antikyra is a town and a former community in Boeotia, Greece, near the location of the ancient settlement Anticyra. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 2,984 . Antikyra is located about...
, 30 kilometres of Amfissa
Amfissa
Amfissa is a town and a former municipality in Phocis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is also the capital of the regional unit of Phocis...
, 18 kilometres of Itea
Itea
Itea may refer to:*Itea , a genus of plants that includes Itea virginica, the scientific name of Virginia Sweetspire.*places in Greece:**Itea, Evros, a village in the southeastern part of the Evros Prefecture...
and roughly 30 kilometres of Delphi
Delphi
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god...
and Arachova
Arachova
Arachova is a town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Distomon - Arachova - Antikyra, according the programme Kallikrates, of which it is a municipal unit....
.
History
Desfina has been inhabited since antiquity, when it was called Echedamia.One of the most important rebels of the Greek revolution, Bishop Isaias of Salona, fought for the liberation of Desfina until his execution by the Turks on 22 April 1821 and encouraged Athanasios Diakos
Athanasios Diakos
Athanasios Diakos , a Greek military commander during the Greek War of Independence and a national hero, was born Athanasios Nikolaos Massavetas in the village of Ano Mousounitsa, Phocis.-Early life:...
for the battle of Alamana. Also, Isaias gave the signal for the beginning of revolution of Central Greece
Central Greece
Continental Greece or Central Greece , colloquially known as Roúmeli , is a geographical region of Greece. Its territory is divided into the administrative regions of Central Greece, Attica, and part of West Greece...
at the region of Prophet Daniel. His residence is found in Desfina and has been converted to a museum. In Desfina there is the Monastery of Honest Precursor which was distinguished at the revolution on 1821 as well as the very important Byzantine monument, the temple of Brigadiers near to the church of Saint Haralampos that dates to the 12th century.
Economy
The economy of Desfina is based on Aluminium of Greece (Prefecture Viotia), on public services (Desfina - Itea - Amfissa), on the various cultures and more generally on the Rural sector. In the past, before the creation of Aluminium of Greece, the locals were mainly sustained by animal breeding. They began from the village with certain money which they had gathered and their destination was to find animals (mainly sheep, goats, calfs) to buy. Their aim was to nourish and to sell they, in price where they would win some money. This was the main occupation of persons that lived in the region before from at least 60 years. Then, with the creation of factory in 1960, employment was provided to individuals from Desfina, Itea, Stiri, Distomo etc. most of whom preferred to deal in the factory, because of the job security it offered.Various products that often attract individuals from distant parts are produced at Desfina. The most important products in the region are the following:
- Bakery products
- Olives and Oil
- Grapes and Wine
- Meats
- Cheese-making products
- Honey
Climate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
| 11°C | 11,2°C | 14,12°C | 19,50°C | 24,92°C | 28,03°C | 29,34°C | 29,40°C | 24,12°C | 19,85°C | 14,67°C | 11,82°C |
| 4,7°C | 4,32°C | 5,29°C | 10,77°C | 13,96°C | 16,71°C | 18,11°C | 19,29°C | 19,23°C | 12,80°C | 9,03°C | 5,39°C |
| 8,3 days | 7,8 days | 7,7 days | 6,9 days | 5,0 days | 1,6 days | 0,9 days | 1,3 days | 2,5 days | 5,2 days | 8,1 days | 9,6 days |
Customs, Tradition and Saint's days
The ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
are celebrated with particular way mainly in villages and small town. Desfina is a town where the customs, the traditions and the feasts keep still to a large extent. The most important festivities take place in August. The most important event is the feast of Koimisis of Virgin Mary (Virgin Mary), which is celebrated on 15 August with events and festivals.
Landmarks
There are several historical monuments and temples in Desfina as well as the central square which dates back to the 19th century. The square of Desfina is encircled by traditional cafes and taverns which offer a view of Mount Parnassos.- New Abbey of Honest Precursor
- Old Abbey of Honest Precursor
- Temple of Taksiarxon
- Temple of Brigadiers Metropolitan Temple of Virgin Mary
- Temple of Saint Charalampou
- Temple of Saint Dimitriou
- Temple of Saint Anargyron
- Residence of Bishop Hsaia
- Residence of Spyrou Papalouka
Population
| Permanent | Real | Permanent | Real | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census | 2001 | 2001 | 1991 | 1991 |
| Municipality population | 2.115 | 2.431 | 1.955 | 2.389 |
| Town population | 1.831 | 2.024 | 1.772 | 2.080 |
| Municipality population | Town population | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Population | Census 2001 | Census 2001 |
| Male | 1.090 | 905 |
| Female | 1.025 | 926 |
| Total | 2.115 | 1.831 |
Pan-Hellenic Championship Scramble
The Pan-Hellenic Championship Scramble took place in 2004 at Desfina. There were 93 participants.Cultural Association of Desfina
The Cultural Association of Desfina The Progress was founded on 6 July 1979 and today numbers 200 members. The aim of the cultural association is the intellectual growth and moral culture, the promotion of spirit of culture and humanitarian bond between the members as well as contribution in the configuration of environment.Athletic and Intellectual Centres
i) The Municipal Chorus of Desfina which includes two departments, for adults and children respectively was founded in 1999.ii) A basketball - volleyball court was built in 1999
iii) A modern ground of football 5x5 with synthetic sod was built in 2001
iv) A complete and modern gym was established in 2005
Athletic Group "Hsaias Desfina"
The historical athletic team of Desfina called "Hsaias" was founded in 1973 and represents the Municipality of Desfina in local tournaments. From 1973 up to 1985 the team participated in the Fthiotidofokidas Championship where winning 2 championships, one in 1976 going up from the C in the B category and other in 1978 when it rose from the B to the A category. From 1985 and since then it has participated in the championship of E.P.S. Fokida. In 1986 it gained the cup of Fokidas and nominated Champion A of Category, while lost the same year the rise in the D' National in baraz. A rise that it gained festive final in 1991 when conquered also again the championship, one year where the association spending enough money brought many "foreign" footballers. The next year that fought in the D' National it accomplished it reaches in final the Bowl failing however this time it raises for second time in his history the Bowl. This moment the team is in A amateur category with main opponents Asteras Iteas and Fokikos Amfissas.Athletic Group "Doksa Desfinas"
Doksa Desfinas was founded in 1986. The course of Doksa Desfinas in the amateur championship has yielded 2 championships between 1998–2003, while it was in the A category between 2003-2004.Settlements
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Famous people
- Salonon Isaias, bishop
- Spyros Papaloukas, artist
- Efstathios I. Manaios, colonel
- Christos G. Xiropoulos, lieutenant - founder of Desfina Kindergarten
- Georgios Meletis, businessman - founder of Desfina High school
- Nikolaos. I. Hlempogiannis, second lieutenant of the gendarmerie
- Andreas SyngrosAndreas SyngrosAndreas Syngros was a Greek banker from Istanbul, at the time known internationally as Constantinople, and a philanthropist.Born in Istanbul to Chiot parents, Syngros was one of the founders of the Bank of Constantinople along with Stephanos Skouloudis. Syngros married Iphigenia Mavrokordatou of...
- Lucas PapademosLucas PapademosLucas Papademos is a Greek economist who has been appointed as Prime Minister of Greece since 11 November 2011.Previously, he was Governor of the Bank of Greece from 1994 to 2002 and Vice President of the European Central Bank from 2002 to 2010...
, Prime Minister of Greece.
Mayors of Desfina
| Period | Majors |
|---|---|
| 1987–1990 | Efstathios G. Mantzoros |
| 1991–1994 | Efstathios G. Mantzoros |
| 1995–1998 | Achilleas A. Makris |
| 1999–2002 | Efstathios G. Mantzoros |
| 2003–2006 | Panagiwta A. Kampafli |
| 2007–2010 | Efstathios G. Mantzoros |
External links
| Northwest: Itea Itea, Greece Itea , is a town and a former municipality in the southeastern part of Phocis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi, of which it is a municipal unit. The Greek National Road 48/E65 connects Itea with Antirrio, Naupactus and Livadeia, the GR-27 with... | North: Delphi Delphi Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god... | |
| West: Crisaean Gulf | Desfina | East: Distomo Distomo Distomo , older forms: Distomon is a municipality in the Boeotia Prefecture, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit... in Boeotia Boeotia Boeotia, also spelled Beotia and Bœotia , is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Central Greece. It was also a region of ancient Greece. Its capital is Livadeia, the second largest city being Thebes.-Geography:... |
| ' | South: Gulf of Corinth Gulf of Corinth The Gulf of Corinth or the Corinthian Gulf is a deep inlet of the Ionian Sea separating the Peloponnese from western mainland Greece... | Southeast: Gulf of Corinth Gulf of Corinth The Gulf of Corinth or the Corinthian Gulf is a deep inlet of the Ionian Sea separating the Peloponnese from western mainland Greece... |