Desfina

Desfina (Greek: Δεσφίνα) 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.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 148.992 km2.[3] At the 2011 census, its population was 1,988.[1] It is situated on a plateau at 680m elevation, 5 km from the Corinthian Gulf. It is 7 km southeast of Delphi, 9 km east of Itea and 30 km west of Livadeia.

Desfina

Δεσφίνα
Desfina
Desfina
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°25′N 22°32′E
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCentral Greece
Regional unitPhocis
MunicipalityDelphi
 • Municipal unit148.99 km2 (57.53 sq mi)
Elevation
680 m (2,230 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Municipal unit
1,988
 • Municipal unit density13/km2 (35/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
330 50
Area code(s)22650
Vehicle registrationΑΜ
Websitewww.desfina.gr

History

Ruins near Desfina have been identified as those of the ancient towns Echedameia (Ancient Greek: Ἐχεδάμεια) and Medeon (Μεδεών).[4] Both towns were destroyed by King Philip II of Macedon around 355-346 BC during the Third Sacred War and were never rebuilt.[5][6] 4km to the east, the Late Mycenaean ruins of Kastrouli have been equated with Homeric Anemoreia (Ἀνεμώρεια).[7]

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.

Economy

A large employer in the area of Desfina is Aluminium of Greece, which has a production facility at nearby Distomo. Before, the locals were mainly sustained by animal breeding. The most important traditional products in the region are bakery products, olives and oil, grapes and wine, meat, cheese products and honey.

Climate
Climate data for Desfina
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 11
(52)		 11.2
(52.2)		 14.12
(57.42)		 19.50
(67.10)		 24.92
(76.86)		 28.03
(82.45)		 29.34
(84.81)		 29.40
(84.92)		 24.12
(75.42)		 19.85
(67.73)		 14.67
(58.41)		 11.82
(53.28)		 19.83
(67.72)
Average low °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 4.32
(39.78)		 5.29
(41.52)		 10.77
(51.39)		 13.96
(57.13)		 16.71
(62.08)		 18.11
(64.60)		 19.29
(66.72)		 19.23
(66.61)		 12.80
(55.04)		 9.03
(48.25)		 5.39
(41.70)		 11.63
(52.94)
Average rainy days 8.3 7.8 7.7 6.9 5.0 1.6 0.9 1.3 2.5 5.2 8.1 9.6 64.9

Customs, traditions and feasts

The Christmas 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 are still kept to a large extent. The most important festivities take place in August. The most important event is the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on 15 August.

Landmarks
View of the church of Agios Charalambos.
The church of Koimisi tis Theotokou.

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 the Taxiarches
  • Temple of Brigadiers Metropolitan Temple of Virgin Mary
  • Temple of Saint Charalampos
  • Temple of Saint Dimitrios
  • Temple of the Holy Unmercenaries
  • Residence of Bishop Isaias
  • Residence of Spyros Papaloukas

Population
PermanentRealPermanentReal
Census2001200119911991
Municipality population 2.115 2.431 1.955 2.389
Town population 1.831 2.024 1.772 2.080
Municipality populationTown population
Permanent PopulationCensus 2001Census 2001
Male 1.090 905
Female 1.025 926
Total 2.115 1.831

Events and organizations

The Cultural Association of Desfina I Proodos ("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. The choir of Desfina, founded in 1999, consists of an adult's and a children's section.

There are two football clubs in Desfina: Isaias Desfina, founded in 1973, and Doxa Desfina, founded in 1986.

Settlements

The municipal unit of Desfina consists of the following settlements:

Notable people

Mayors of Desfina
PeriodMajors
1987–1990 Efstathios G. Mantzoros
1991–1994 Efstathios G. Mantzoros
1995–1998 Achilleas I. Makris
1999–2002 Efstathios G. Mantzoros
2003–2006 Panagiota A. Kampafli
2007–2010 Efstathios G. Mantzoros
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References
  1. "Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority.
  2. Kallikratis law Greece Ministry of Interior (in Greek)
  3. "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
  4. "Phocis". Archived from the original on June 7, 2009. Retrieved 2007-03-31.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  5.  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Echedameia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  6.  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Medeon". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  7. Koh, Birney, Roy, Liritzis (2020). "The Mycenaean Citadel and Environs of Desfina-Kastrouli: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Southern Phokis" (PDF). Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry. 20(3): 47–73.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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