The Town of Livadia
Located in Central Greece, about 130 kilometres northwest of Athens, Livadia (Λιβαδειά) is a charming town where history, nature, and everyday Greek life come together. Built around the picturesque Krya Springs and the river Erkyna, visitors can stroll beneath centuries-old plane trees, discover traces of its ancient past, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere away from the usual tourist routes.
Livadia is also well situated for exploring the nearby mountain region. The popular mountain town of Arachova is approximately 35 kilometres away, while the ski slopes of Mount Parnassos can be reached in roughly an hour by car, depending on the route and weather conditions. This makes Livadia an interesting stop or base for visitors who want to combine Greek culture and history with a winter excursion to the mountains. Even a day of skiing. 🙂
A Popular Song
And for those familiar with Greek traditional music, its name may already sound familiar from the well-known folk song «Σαράντα παλικάρια από τη Λιβαδειά».
“Forty young men from Livadeia” is a known song about armed Greek mountain fighters during the Ottoman period. The song tells the story of forty young men setting out from Livadeia, traditionally with the aim of going to Tripoli. The song celebrates courage, youth, freedom, and resistance, while also evoking the mountainous landscape and warrior culture of that time period in Greece.
Greek Myth, related to the town of Livadia
Sophia (a former teacher at Omilo) was living for 20 years in Livadia, a town close to Arachova and Delphi, at two hours drive from Athens.
She is the ideal person to tell us a bit more about Livadia and its myth.
The Greek Myth “Erkyna”, the nymph of a spring in Livadia, is very known in Livadia.
Today, Erkyna is the name of the river that passes through Livadia. For many years, the river provides the energy that is needed for the development of industry, handicrafts and processing agricultural products.
Greek Listening exercise
Click here or on the picture below and listen to Sophia who tells you the myth in her own words.
(Below you can read the translation in English)
English translation of Sophia’s words
Many years ago in ancient times, a girl who was called Erkyna came to play in this area. She was the daughter of an architect who also was the founder of the Trofanios Oracle*. So she came to play with her friend Persephone. Persephone was the daughter of the goddess Demeter. One day they had brought a goose with them and as they played, they saw the goose running away and suddenly the goose fell into a hole. Erkyna ran after her to catch her. As she couldn’t reach the goose, she lifted a large stone.
The moment she lifted the stone, water started running from under it. This water became more and more until it became a whole river. Unfortunately, the river swallowed both the goose and the little girl, Erkyna.
* Trofonios Oracle (called this way by the locals)
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In the mood to listen to an Easy Greek Podcast story, related to Livadia?
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