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Cheronia

The municipality of Cheronia presents a great archaeological interest. The homonym village is situated at the north-western department of Viotia prefecture, in a distance of 15 km from Livadeia. In the antiquity, Cheronia was named Arni, from the name of the daughter of Aiolos, the God of Winds. Its name Cheronia is owed to the local hero Cheronas, the son of Apollo and Thirou. Cheronia is related to the historical personality Ploutarhos (he was born in Cheronia), as well as to the homonym battle of 338 b.C., where the Macedonian King Philippos overcame allied forces of other Greek cities and consolidated his sovereignty in southern Greece. At the Roman period, Cheronia was considered as a brilliant city. Cheronia must have been destroyed by a big earthquake at 551 b.C.
The municipality of Cheronia includes the villages: Aghios  Vlasis, Akontio, Anthohori, Vasilika, Thourio, Prosilio and Prophitis Elias.
Aghios Vlasis beard its name from the little Monastery that was found in the area (today in this place exists only a country church). It is a small village, but with very interesting architectural elements. In the antiquity, at the location of Aghios Vlasis, the city of Panopea, (or Panopeia at others), existed, that beard its name from the hero Panopea. From the city Panopea, the road that led to Delphi passed. It is believed that, from there, Apollo had passed when he was travelling to Delphi in order to found the oracle of Delphi. Panopeia was destroyed by Xerxis and many years later by Philippos V'.



Sightseeings

The Ancient Theatre of Cheronia.
The ancient theatre is found at the foot of the hill Petrahos and is hewed out of a rock. The hollow of the theatre is separated in three parts: the part at the bottom, with three series of seats, the intermediate part, with ten series of seats and the highest with four series of seats. In the entry of the ancient theatre there is a fountain. In the basin of the marble, in front of the spring, you will read an honorary ancient dedication.
The Lion of Cheronia
The characteristic imposing statue of 5,5 metres welcomes the visitors in the entry of the village. The sculptural lion was manufactured by Thebans in   memory of those killed in the battle of Cheronia. The monument was found in three pieces in 1818.
Macedonian Τomb in Cheronia.
The soldiers of Philippos, killed in the battle, were buried in a tomb, which is found between Cheronia and Thourio. The tomb is saved up to today.
The Acropolis of Panopeas.
It is found in the settlement of Aghios Vlasios. The Acropolis allocates three gates of entry in the north, the south and the west side. Traces of fortification of the city are saved from the Mycenean period. The saved fortification surrounding wall is dated from the 4th century b.C. Recently, in the Acropolis, works for the access and the promotion of the monument are developed.
Archaeological Museum of Cheronia.
The Museum includes a neolithic collection with very important exhibits, arms and other objects of Macedonians, as well as funeral gifts from necropolis from the areas around.
Monastery of Lykouresi.
This Monastery, in 1821, it was the starting point for Athanassios Diakos for the liberation of Livadeia. The Monastery is located 3 km in the south-eastern of Cheronia. It is dated very probably from the 15th century (or according to others from the17th century). Today the group of buildings allocates a library (where, the letter that Athanassios Diakos sent to the sovereigns of the region in order to instigate them, is kept), a congress centre and a model ecological farm.  
Country churches.
On the road, from Cheronia to the Monastery of Lykouresi, two country churches are found. Aghios Apostolos and Aghia Paraskevi, both built in a royal rythm. Also, in the gully of the river Moros the country church Aghios Charalampos is situated. In the western of the village, Aghios Spiridonas is found. In the western of Cheronia, in the mountain Thourio, Aghios Georgios   is built, while near the river Kifisos, Aghios Dimitrios is situated. Another, also interesting country church is found in the abandoned village Karamousa. At a very small distance and to the western direction, you will find Aghios Georgios, another small church, without internal decor.
The bust of Ploutarhos.
The bust was set up in 1956 at the front of the Municipal School, to show that in this area, the big historian was born. It is the work of the sculptor Nikos Peradinos.
The Temple of “Metamorphosis tou Sotiros” (Transfiguration).
It is dated from 1863 and is found at the village Aghios Vlasis. The dome of the temple is supported by monolithic columns. The capitals of these columns have been probably transported from a Palaeo-Christian church, ruins of which are preserved in the eastern of the area of Antikyra.



Natural beauties


The gully of the dried-up stream Aimon, situated a few metres eastern from the Lion of Cheronia, constitutes a pole of attraction for visitors. Also, Kokinovrahos with the two undiscovered caves, on the mountain Akontio, is very impressive.



Useful Information

Events
In honour of the historical personality, Ploutarhos, the festival “Ploutarhia” is organised in Heronia each June. Performances of ancient drama are presented during this festival.

Infrastructures
In the Municipality of Cheronia you will find restaurants, cafeterias and traditional cafes.



Useful telephone numbers
 


Municipality of Cheronia 22610-95262
Medical Centre 22610-95207
Police Department 
 22610-95260
Telecom Service 22610-95233
 
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© 2007 Epimelitirio Viotias