TEMPI - The Enchanted Valley The Tempi Valley, besides being a landscape of astonishing beauty, is a place full of legends and secrets. It is the “passport” of the life-giving river of the plain, the Pineios, on its way to the Aegean, but also the “cyan-helmeted” force between Olympus and Kissavos. Until the modern tunnels of the Athens – Thessaloniki National Highway were put into operation, the Tempi valley united or separated, depending on one's point of view, Southern and Northern Greece. It also caused mixed feelings. On the one hand, admiration for the magnificent landscape, on the other hand, frustration for the frequent delays due to increased traffic. With the new tunnels, things have been simplified. Whoever passes through the Tempi Valley does so by choice, to enjoy this magical landscape formed by the Pineios passing between Olympus and Kissavos. The traffic has decreased. Most shops, cafes and restaurants around the old toll booths have been deserted. Most of the street vendors around the church of Agia Paraskevi have sought out other haunts. Perhaps it is for the best. The crowds that once gathered and the noise that accompanied them probably acted as a deterrent to someone who wanted to enjoy the enchanting landscape. Image The busiest part of the valley, where many stop to get to know it "up close", but also for a coffee or quick "snack" is the point of the hanging footbridge, which, unfortunately, was destroyed by the relentless passage of Daniel. The church of Agia Paraskevi carved into the rock by the railway workers last century and the holy water deep in an adjacent cave, remain in place, as do various archaeological traces.On the side of KissavosWithout a doubt, the most "famous" village of today's Tempi municipality is Ampelakia, on the slopes of Kissavos, above the entrance of the valley. They still exude an air of glamor and nobility from the time (mid-18th century) when, with their Cooperative, the yarns and red dye from the Ritsari plant had conquered the markets of Europe. The castle of Oria, above the village, proves the strategic importance of Tempi! Returning from Ampelakia to the main road, a stop at the village of Tempi and the under-restoration teké of the Bektashi dervishes, Hassan Baba, is worthwhile. Image Next stop, Elateia. The village hides an unexpected secret, a model folklore museum, the Museum of Thessalian Life, in essence the mansion of the Syrmakezis family, which the current owners have transformed into an exemplary exhibition space of rural and urban life of the last 150 years, through the personal belongings of the family.Another well-kept folklore museum also operates in Sykourio, made piece by piece by the local historian Ioannis Prapas. You will find it in the Myli position, a location with many waters and mills, which even operated as a source of electricity for Sykourio, something innovative for the standards of the time. A short distance away is also the "Bara", a small artificial lake that is a favorite recreation place for the residents.Sykourio prides itself on the wonderful spectacle offered in the spring by the flowering almond trees, but also, of course, on the almonds themselves. It gathers the overwhelmingly largest part of the Greek, but also about 2% of the world production and celebrates it every September. Image From Sykourio, after a mountainous, asphalt route of about 12 km on the slopes of Kissavos, you will reach the village of Spilia, at an altitude of about 900 meters. If it is a weekend, do not be surprised by the number of cars, they belong to people from Larissa who come here to honor the village's famous taverns. From here it is very easy to access the Kissavos Mountaineering Refuge.On the side of OlympusThe other side of the Tempi valley belongs to the territory of Olympus and specifically to its small "brother", Lower Olympus. A first necessary stop before crossing the valley heading north will be at Gonnous to visit another impressive Folklore Museum in a multi-level traditional mansion, but also the Municipal Art Gallery. From Gonnoi, after an uphill route of 23 km you will reach the beautiful mountain village Kallipeyki (old name "Nezeros") at 1054 meters altitude, where it is worth trying its famous potatoes.Having crossed the valley you will head towards Rapsani. Also known for their yarns, at the same time as Ampelakia, the Rapsaniotes looked for alternative outlets when the trade in red dye began to decline. And they found them in their vineyards. The Rapsaniotes have always loved wine, the tradition of viticulture has even been integrated into the local architecture, with almost every house having a basement with its own barrels. The whole local tradition unfolds in the Wine and Vine Museum. Image About four kilometers separate Rapsani from another "wine village", the picturesque Krania and about as many from Pyrgetos. Passing from the eastern side of the National Road a dirt road will bring you to the old Petrogefyro, which remains relatively unknown to many people. It was once famous for its many arches - of which only one survives - and with its 40 m. length it connected Pyrgetos with the opposite village of Omolio, on the other bank of the Pineios.The end of the route coincides with the end of the Pineios itself, which forms a large Delta between Stomio and Nea Messagala, an impressive as well as important wetland. Kouloura - which is surrounded by vast expanses of sunflowers - , Messagala and Kastri-Loutro are the favorite beaches of the people of Larissa north of the Delta.
