After the Byzantine period, mainly due to pirate raids, the town of Almyros was built in its current location. Of course, the exact date of the town’s establishment at the current site is unknown, but it certainly was not created immediately after the Ottoman conquest. From tombstones that have been found, the earliest date goes back to 1600 AD, though the town is clearly older. The Almyros area was first conquered by the Turks in 1396, but its second and final subjugation occurred in 1414.

During the great Greek Revolution of 1821, the people of Almyros participated with many young fighters. Unfortunately, according to the signing of the London Protocol (January 28 – February 3, 1830), by which Greece gained its independence, the boundaries of the newly established state extended north to the demarcation line of the Ambracian-Pagasetic Gulf. Almyros remained under Turkish occupation, while Sourpi was included in free Greece. The boundaries of the Greek state thus reached just outside Almyros, at the Salabria stream, next to the Turkish Defense Garrison (Kislas).

In subjugated Thessaly, many revolutionary movements occurred but failed, mainly because they were not supported by the Greek state due to pressure from the Great Powers. In Almyros, the most important were:
1. The 1840 movement under the legendary Almyros native Ioannis Velentzas and his twin sons Thrasyvoulos and Achilles. This movement had a great impact in Europe and brought Greece to the brink of war with Turkey.
2. The corresponding movement of 1848, in which many veterans of 1821 participated.
3. The movement of 1854, when conditions were more favorable, as there was silent support from Greece. The Battle of Platano took place on March 13, 1854, one of the most significant victories, in which the Turks retreated with many losses.
4. The 1878 movement, under Thrasyvoulos Velentzas. Here, the chieftains captured Platano on February 6, 1878, and established the Government of the Revolutionary Region of Almyros, conducting two important battles at Platano and the Holy Monastery of Xenia.

The price paid by the people of Almyros for their participation in the revolutionary movements was heavy in human lives, destruction of civilians, homes, and property. The desires of the enslaved Greeks were fulfilled with the Berlin Congress in 1878, whose decisions were ratified upon the completion of its work in 1881, when Thessaly was annexed to the free Greek state. Thus, on August 17, 1881, liberation came for the areas of the Municipality of Almyros that had not been freed in 1830.

During the unfortunate war of 1897, Almyros was occupied on May 5, 1897, by the Turks, who destroyed and looted homes and shops, arresting and killing residents. Immediately afterward, on December 22, 1897, the city was definitively liberated with the Treaty of Constantinople and began to recover rapidly. It was enriched and revitalized with new residents and new cultures: Vlachs, Epirotes, Romylites, Koulouriotes, Sarakatsani, and Asia Minor Greeks. All had something to contribute culturally and economically, having found understanding, compassion, and humanity from the locals after many hardships.

In the Sourpi area, there are many attractions from the Ottoman period and the years after the 1821 revolution. The Kislas (Turkish word meaning military barracks) is a Turkish garrison built around 1840 at the NW edge of Sourpi. It served as the main Turkish military post between 1840-1881 along the border of the wider area. The Sourpi Kazarma was a Turkish frontier military post along the border line (1830-1881), the only one preserved to this day. The Turkish Kazarma was located in Pelalistra, and opposite it, on this side of Salabria, was the Greek building, a smaller structure (now destroyed) defended by 7-10 soldiers who came from the Greek garrison of the village. At that time, the Greek garrison was also active, used by the Greek army during 1830-1881 (until Thessaly’s liberation).

On the Sourpi coast, especially in Mitzela, its inhabitants distinguished themselves for heroism in naval battles during liberation from the Turks. Parts of the ships’ armaments (cannons, etc.) are displayed in the village square. The village, in its present form, was created during those years after the revolution, specifically in 1834, when refugees from old Mitzela of Pelion and other villages of eastern Thessaly under Turkish rule settled there.

In the 19th century, the state established a Customs Office in Mitzela, as well as in Neai. Also, a Port Authority and Barracks for the military garrison, and later a Municipal Post Office were established in Mitzela. In June 1845, the royal family visited the town. Queen Amalia of Greece invited Bavarian architects to oversee the architecture of the settlement and its buildings. In Neai, a Quarantine Station was established for travelers who disembarked at the port who might have contagious diseases, treated by doctors before continuing inland. A similar “Quarantine” operated on Kikynthos islet in Mitzela.

On the coastal front, moving south toward Pteleos, the Turks managed to drive the Venetians out of the area and conquer it, despite their desperate fight to maintain the Thessalian forts. However, in 1470, Sultan Mehmed II captured it and killed all men over 12 years old, “also taking Ftelia and Gardikion.” The Sultan left Ftelio and Gardiki deserted, transferring all inhabitants to Constantinople, also taking all women and children from Evripos. The Ottoman period lasted until 1832. A year later, with the Royal Decree of April 15, 1833, Pteleos was classified in the province of Phthiotis as the 3rd Municipality with 614 inhabitants and emblem “Ptelean and nearby cave” (1870). At that time, the municipality had 614 residents: 287 in Ftelio, 236 in Hamakou or Pethron, 37 in Agioi Theodoroi, and 54 in Gagriani (probably Gavriani). In 1857, the seat moved to Sourpi, and in 1864, two municipal seats were established: summer in Sourpi, winter in Ftelio.

During the Ottoman period, the current name Bryna prevailed. It appears after the 18th century, as the earlier periods referred to it as Agoriani. The name Agoriani also appears in an Ottoman court decision of Almyros, whose opponents were neighboring villages Agoriani, Kokkotoi, and Tsirnovitli. The village inhabitants settled in Othrys after Dionysios Philosophos’ movement in 1611 and to avoid the Pasha of Ioannina’s hatred. During Ali Pasha of Epirus’ rule, many moved permanently to this area. In 1528, Bryna was destroyed by the Turks, as recorded in the narthex of Ano Moni Xenia.

The Ottoman period, however, was the best for Anavra. During Ottoman rule, mainly in the 17th-18th centuries, Anavra (Goura) experienced its greatest prosperity. It flourished and developed notable activity in all sectors. It had admirable local administration, became the seat of the Bishop of Thaumakos with an episcopal mansion, and developed a strong economy based on weaving, tanning, coppersmithing, silk production, viticulture, etc. During this peak, the population grew to 10,000, many living nomadically in the mountains. In 1815, however, a large exodus occurred due to a plague epidemic. Two thousand people left Goura, while many died. Meanwhile (1815-1821 pre-revolutionary period), constant unrest existed in the area, as bands of klephts and outlaws operated in Othrys. Many liberation movements occurred, notably in 1854, 1867, and 1878, forcing the Goura residents to leave and move to nearby towns (Lamia, Stylida, Almyros, Chalkida, etc.).

Some families from Anavra fled to Drymonas, already inhabited since 1832 by former residents of Sourpi. The first inhabitants came during those years from nearby villages Sourpi, Bryna, Kokkotoi. After the Greek-Turkish border was established in 1830, Drymonas was in the Turkish sector, and during the 1897 revolution, the inhabitants left to avoid potential harm, moving into Greek territory.

20th Century

In the Asia Minor campaign, the participation and contribution of Almyros residents were significant, with great sacrifices and losses. After the Asia Minor catastrophe, in the early 20th century, families from Eastern Rumelia and Asia Minor settled in the area. Notably, Efxeinoupoli was established entirely by refugees from the Black Sea at the beginning of the century and later by refugees from Asia Minor.

There was also a large number of refugees from Cappadocia, due to the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Residents of Tsarikli came to our area and founded Argillochori and Mavrolofos. Refugees from Asia Minor, after the 1922 Asia Minor catastrophe, also came to the Sourpi area, housed in the Kislas building, which had ceased being a garrison.

After the interwar years, even more difficult times followed for the Greeks, with the German-Italian Occupation, the Resistance, and the Civil War. Losses were significant during the 1940 campaign throughout the area, as in the rest of Greece. Residents heroically resisted the occupiers, with great sacrifices.

The Germans occupied Volos in 1941. In May, they stationed occupation forces in the Almyros area. However, in June, they departed, leaving the Italians in place. Generally, in our area, the occupying troops were mainly Italian carabinieri rather than German occupiers, who only passed through occasionally for inspections.

The Thessalians were among the first to resist the occupiers. The intense action of local partisans led the Italians to harsh reprisals, often against civilians. Many hostages, local residents, were executed by the Italians, such as:
a) The 35 executed at the Almyros cemetery on August 15, 1943.
b) Just outside Agioi Theodoroi on May 5, 1943, 10 people were executed, nine from Achilleio and one from Agioi Theodoroi.

Apart from executions, the destruction caused by the Italians across the Almyros region was extensive. In 1943, both the town of Almyros and almost all villages were burned, including Neochoraki, Anthotopos, Phylaki, Anavra, Mavrolofos, Platano, Agioi Theodoroi, Achilleio, Drymonas, Agia Triada, Amaliapoli, and Sourpi. Also, on August 14, 1943, the Italians bombed Platano, Sourpi, and Drymonas, and three days later, Amaliapoli was bombed. Many residents lost their lives during these attacks.

After liberation followed the nationwide drama of the Civil War, which was even more tragic than the German-Italian occupation. As a fratricidal war, it affected our entire area and beyond. Both sides recruited in all villages, leaving victims on both sides.

Modern Almyros

After liberation, Almyros began to develop significantly. From 1950 onwards, the recovery, reconstruction, and prosperity of Almyros were impressive. The same happened throughout the area. Roads were built, villages that previously had no electricity were electrified, and water and telecommunications networks began to be installed.

Unfortunately, the catastrophic earthquake of July 9, 1980, flattened all of Almyros, and it was rebuilt almost from scratch. The town was radically reconstructed and took its present form. It is now a modern town full of life. The market offers almost everything. The town center is Almyros Central Square, around which the new Town Hall and almost all services, banks, organizations, and shops are built to serve the residents of the entire Municipality. The Primary Education Office is also located here.

Apart from Almyros, the 1980 earthquake caused severe damage to buildings in all inhabited areas of the Municipality. Thus, most houses in the villages are new, with few exceptions of buildings that “survived” the Italian burnings, bombings, and earthquakes. This is the main reason why the towns and villages of the Municipality of Almyros have not preserved the architecture of the past.

The Tower of Almyros was a reference point for the people of Almyros, over 40 years old, until 1979. Enormous for the standards of its time, three-story, it was located on the southwestern side of Almyros, at the current 12 Metsovou Street, in the Evangelistria parish, where today is the house of Anastasios Gkargas.