Larisa

Traces of Paleolithic human settlement have been recovered from the area, but it was peripheral to areas of advanced culture. The area around Larissa was extremely fruitful; it was agriculturally important and in antiquity was known for its horses. The name Larissa (Λάρισα Lárīsa) is in origin a Pelasgian word for "fortress". There were many ancient Greek cities with this name. The name of Thessalian Larissa is first recorded in connection with the aristocratic Aleuadai family. It was also a polis (city-state). Larissa was a polis (city-state) during the Classical Era. Larissa is thought to be where the famous Greek physician Hippocrates and the famous philosopher Gorgias of Leontini died. When Larissa ceased minting the federal coins it shared with other Thessalian towns and adopted its coinage in the late fifth century BC, it chose local types for its coins. …

Larissa is around 120 kilometres (75 mi) south-west of Thessaloniki and around 210 kilometres (130 mi) north-west of Athens. There are a number of highways, including E75, E65, and the main railway from Athens to Thessaloniki (Salonika) crossing through Thessaly. The region is directly linked to the rest of Europe through the International Airport of Central Greece located in Nea Anchialos a short distance from Larissa (about 60 km [37 mi]). Larissa lies on the river Pineios. The municipality of Larissa has an area of 335.98 km2 (129.72 sq mi), the municipal unit Larissa has an area of 122.586 km2 (47.331 sq mi), and the community Larissa has an area of 88.167 km2 (34.041 sq mi). The city is in close proximity of destinations such as Mount Olympus, Mount Kissavos, Meteora, Lake Plastira, Pilio, etc. …

Municipal Conservatory of Larissa Pappas's Mile Theatre Municipal Theatre OUHL of Larissa (Thessalian Theatre) Hatzigianeio Cultural Centre Tiritomba Shadows Theatre Local specialities: Batzina (Μπατζίνα) pie baked in the oven Kelaidi (Κελαηδί) Pita (Πίτα, traditional pies with pasta phyllo, baked in the oven) like Kreatopita, Loukanikopita, Melintzanopita, Tyropita, Spanakopita Plastós (Πλαστός) pie Lahanópsomo (Λαχανόψωμο) cabbage bread Halvas (Χαλβάς) sweet Diachronic Museum of Larissa / Archaeological and Byzantine Myseum of Larissa Municipal Gallery of Larissa – G.I. …

Larissa is a major agricultural center of Greece, due to the plain of Thessaly. In manufacturing sector, Larissa is among others home to Biokarpet carpet company (whose owners were also major shareholders of AEL FC in the past) and Orient Bikes. It comes also in first place with the highest percentage of bars-taverns-restaurants per capita in Greece. Mikel Coffee Company and Bruno Coffee Stores chains started and have also their base in the city.

In the area from the Frourio hill to the Central square is located the old part of the city where some of its main landmarks are. Sights of the city are: The Frourio Hill and the adjacent First Ancient Greek Theatre area. The Pineios river that crosses the city center near the St. Achillios church and the Alkazar Park next to the lush river banks of Pineios river. The First Ancient Greek Theatre of Larissa, built in the 3rd c. BC. The Second Ancient Theatre, built in the 1st c. BC. The Basilica of St. Achillios. Early Byzantine basilica ruins dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Achillios. The church of St. Achillios Cathedral. The Bezesten of Larissa. Built in the 15th c. was an Ottoman enclosed market and also used in the 19th c. as a gunpowder magazine and fort. The Yeni Mosque, a rare example of 19th c. mosque built in neoclassical style, now used as a museum. …

Larissa sits in the middle of the plain of Thessaly, with connections to the A1 motorway and national roads EO3 and EO6. Larissa's Urban Bus System Larissa's Interurban System (Ktel Larissas) Larissa Central Railway Station Station at 39°37′46″N 22°25′22.2″E Mezourlo Freight Railway station at 39°37′08″N 22°24′30″E Larissa National Airport (military)