Ampelakia Kissavos

Although Ampelakia may be "hidden" from passers-by on the National Road, their brilliance once reached, thanks to a dyed red thread, as far as the largest capitals of Europe.

Five kilometers above the old National Road and the entrance to the Tempi valley, lies one of the most famous villages in Thessaly, Ampelakia. How does their "fame" arise? It was in the late 18th century when the Ampelakiotes realized that the cotton yarns they spun and the intense red dye from the ritsari plant were not just of good quality, but of the highest quality in Europe! They rolled up their sleeves and threw themselves into the work with relish, literally everyone! All of Ampelakia worked in the yarns and dyes, they even organized and created their now famous cooperative, the first in Greece and one of the first in the whole world!

Business was going swimmingly, the Cooperative maintained 17 branches in European cities, the village experienced unexpected riches, imposing mansions were built as well as schools, hospitals, roads.

The period of prosperity began to wane when synthetic yarns appeared on the international market with the industrial revolution and the beautiful story ended leaving behind rich signs: The Schwartz mansion, of the pioneer of the cooperative Georgios Mavros, is one of the several mansions that have been rescued, the house of the Blouchos family, the Folklore Museum, where you will see many more proofs of the golden ages are some examples. However, the whole village continues to exude an air of glamor and nobility.

It is also worth visiting the beautiful square with the cafes and taverns and the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios, with the unique depiction of the "enthroned" Ai-Giorgis (Saint George). From the church starts a dirt road that leads to the clearing of the Prophet Elijah and the castle of Oria, which timelessly oversees the valley of Tempi.