Polidrossos of Parnassos is one of the major villages of Phocis, situated at an altitude of 380 meters on the SE slopes of Parnassos.
The older name of the village, until 1928, was Souvala, of Turkish origin, meaning "much water". Another version for the previous name is that it comes from the Slavic word Souvala, meaning "pit with surrounding mountains", or according to A. Papachristou, it derives from the Slavic word Suvala which means "swamp".
It was built by the residents of the current Ano Polydrosso (Ano Souvala) who they came after the
devastating earthquake of 1870. It has abundant waters and a nice view of the basin Lilea - Gravia.
Polidrossos is located in the middle of a forest full of fir, pine, apple and cherry trees that create a magical landscape, which transforms the village into a beautiful winter and summer resort.
In a distance of 2 km on west, there is a Byzantine monument of great value, Paleopanagia (or Mavromantila or St. Eleousa), a cruciform church of rare architectural beauty (the monument is dated back to the second half of the 6th or the early 7th century, but the chronological limits should be broadened until the 10th century, because of the sources and of the ancient temple ruins (perhaps of Charites).
In recent years, it is experiencing significant tourism development because of the proximity and of the short distance from Parnassos ski resorts.
Visit
The cave of Kontylo in Ano Polydrosso. On the southwest of Ano Souvala, in the ravine of Xeria, is the cave of "Kontylo", a quite spacious cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
The Cave-gulch of St. Eleousa (Prophet Elijah)
The gorge of Xeria in Ano Polydrosso
The Source of St. Eleousa. In about two kilometers from the village we find the sources of Boeotian Kifissos, which took their name from the church of St. Eleousa (St.-Alegousa) located near the source. Here, the residents of the ancient Lilea worshiped the river god Kifissos. In the area of the sources, there are traces of temples of Lilea and surviving parts of the precinct of the city. Immediately above the source, we can see the ruins of a Byzantine church, built on an ancient retaining wall, which the locals call St. Christoforos.
The Madamia (hydroelectric plant), on the Northeast side of the settlement, where there is a medieval tower.
The source of Zelis - Karkavelia, at an altitude of 1200 m. The road to the top of Parnassos will bring visitors to sources of Zelis, south of Ano Souvala, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. A great plateau, with a chapel and a picnic place, cool with endless views.
Karkavelia position. From Polydrosso, on the way to the top of Parnassos, we meet Karkavelia. It is a location full of firs ideal for bicycling and walking.
Gerontovrachos position at an altitude of 1900 m.
Liakoura position (Sunrise) at an altitude of 2458 m.
Liakoura position (Sunrise) at an altitude of 2458 m.
Accommodation
For your stay in Polidrossos - Souvala of Phocis, you can book a room in one of the hotels or rental rooms in area.
In Polidrossos - Souvala there are hotels, hostels, rooms and apartments of various categories and types, which can satisfy any requirement. Below, you can see a list of hotels and accommodation and also you can see offers for budget holidays, on the list of accommodations of the city and in the page with special offers of accommodation.
Accommodation proposals, entertainment and shopping in Polidrossos
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