By Nicolas Bard

Edipsos is a picturesque, seaside village on the northwestern coast of Evia, 18 km southwest of Istiea. It is undoubtedly the largest spa town of our country and a well -known resort in the world in thermal tourism. There we meet today more than eighty individual springs, with water temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees. Bavarian architects took over in the late 19th century, at the end of the 19th century, at the initiative of Queen Olga, who was particularly loved by this area, while tourist reconstruction began in 1896, when Henry Tobazis built the first modern hotel.

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Athena asked Hephaestus, the god of fire, to create warm baths, to go there and to rest Hercules after his labors. So, in order, Hephaestus to fulfill Athena’s desire, hit the rock of Edipsos with his hammer, and at that point a healing source was created, from which warm waters sprouted. It is also reported that the goddess Time advised Deucalion and Pyrra to bathe in the warm waters of the springs to have many strong children. Their love was born the Greek, a Greek -born Greek. The spa town of Edipsos was a great deal of Roman years (100 BC – 100 AD), as Roman General Sulla made the first warmth there and organized great symposia.

The healing rock of Edipsos is a greatness of nature but also a rare phenomenon, as it is the only deposition in Europe of so large quantities of calcifications and trace elements of thermal water. The beach of Loutra Edipsos is located in the heart of Loutropolis. There are mainly baths for those who want to take advantage of the hot healing waters, which sprout from springs, but also those who have no problems and are simply looking for relaxation. These are warm water flowing freely to the deep sea of ​​the Euboean Gulf, and in addition to their healing properties, they offer the possibility of detoxification and relaxation.

Looking at the area, it is also worth visiting the Tower of Edipsos, also known as “Frangoula”. It is a Venetian, square and ruined 14th century tower. It is maintained at a fairly high height and is said to have been a residence of Baronis Petronella toc. Petronella Tokko served as a lady of Edipsos and the Lihades between 1383 and 1410. He left in 1410, probably due to the ever -increasing pirate attacks in northern Euboea at that time. Edipsos was looted many times by predatory raids, and many of its inhabitants were sold as slaves to the bazaars of the East and North Africa. The tower has witnessed many events in the past, and today is “covered” by a veil of mystery and popular doctrines.