Copyright © 2005 Apostolina Saiti

 

On the road to Ampelakia

Any traveler who would like to visit the historical village named Ampelakia,should travel and go across the Thessalian Plain,if he comes from the city of Larissa.

On his way he meets on his right-at the foot of a hill-the village Amphithea.Facing the village Girtoni.

On his left there is Macryhori and to the far end of the road there is Gonni.Next to the National Road the small village Evaggelismos is sutuated,and on the other side there is Itia the old Balamouti.A sign informs us that we approach the Valley of Tempi.


Right before we start ascending the mountain we meet on our left the small village Tempi Cits old name was Baba.

The ascent gives us an exhilarating feeling,as we can admire the awesome beauty of the Valley of Tempi.The fields are full of alive trees and chestnut trees,the river Peneus shines under the sun and finallyit flows into the Aegean sea.
At the bottom there are the straights of Tempi.On their left and right there are Olympous and Kissavos,the two well-Known mountains,«fighting» for centuries with their rough,inhospitable,threatening rocks.

The National Motorway passes through the two mountains,which are very close to each other.

In the centre of the straights,the Peneus flows ,surrounded by plane trees and limpid springs.After a while we arrive at the rise Milan Kaliba,where there is the little church of Ay-Nikolas (St.Nick).

From here we come in view,for the first time,of Ampelakia.The whitewashed walls and the red,tiled roofs peep out from the luxuriant vegetation.The road to the village is surrounded by almond trees,olive trees and vineyards.

When we approach the village,we can sight the Mansnion (archontiko) of G.Swartsz with its old skylights bathed in sunshine.The picturesque little spring(fountain) of Botsani,with its clear water,«welcomes» us,as we enter the village.