{"id":14274,"date":"2023-01-18T16:32:19","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T13:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/almyros-city.gr\/history\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T12:24:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:24:27","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/almyros-city.gr\/en\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Antiquity to Byzantium<\/a><\/h4>\n

The evidence of human presence in the Almyros area, which has been identified today, is not yet able to give us very deep dates in human history. Significant findings have been uncovered by archaeological research. Human presence in the wider area has been intense since the Neolithic era.
\nThe wider Almyros area in antiquity was called Achaia Phthiotis. Almost the entire Almyros \u2013 Sourpi plain constituted the so-called Athamantian plain<\/strong>, named after King Athamas. The whole region has rich mythology (King Athamas, Phrixus and Helle, Achilles and the Myrmidons, Protesilaus<\/strong>) and a rich historical past (Alos, Phylaki<\/strong>) from the Neolithic times to the present.<\/p>\n

The beginning of Almyros’ history must be sought in ancient Alos, near present-day Kefalosi (about 10 km from Almyros). The city of Alos<\/strong> was significant in antiquity and populous. Its founder was the Boeotian king Athamas, who was expelled from Boeotia and came to the area of Achaia Phthiotis<\/strong>, where he founded the city. Athamas is the father of Phrixus and Helle. Their mother was Nephele. The two siblings were rescued by their mother on a golden-fleeced ram to save them from the sacrifice ordered by their father. As they flew over the Bosporus, Helle fell, and from then on this area was called Hellespont. Phrixus traveled to distant Colchis, where the ram was sacrificed to the gods, but its hide was kept as a talisman. This is the famous Golden Fleece for which the Argonauts traveled to Colchis.<\/p>\n

Ancient Alos was known in antiquity for its port and the role it played in the Persian wars, as well as in the Trojan War. It was the capital of the Myrmidon state and the Homeric hero Achilles, who set out for the Trojan expedition from Neai, a coastal settlement of Sourpi. Achilles<\/strong> was the son of Peleus and Thetis, famous for his nobility, piety, and bravery. He is the main hero of Homer’s Iliad, a model warrior and proud man.<\/p>\n

According to one version, the inhabitants of Alos, when they faced many attacks from the sea, had to abandon the settlement and build another safer one northwest of Bryna. The ruins of this Hellenistic settlement are recorded by the archaeological service and are located 3 km from the village, on a rock outcrop, protected on three sides by cliffs. The settlement may have been called Dion or Orchomenos. Some sections of its walls with large stone blocks survive. Locals call these ruins “Castle.”<\/p>\n

Near the “Castle” of Bryna<\/strong> is another ancient settlement, located to the west and 6 km away on the slopes of the “Pilioura” peak. In a very good fortified position, accessible only from one side, it is not mentioned anywhere and is not officially recorded.<\/p>\n

The Thessalian king Protesilaus<\/strong> was one of the most important kings in the Almyros area. Specifically, he ruled a wider area, including the ancient cities of Phylaki, Iton, Antron, and Pteleos. With forty ships, he took part in the Trojan War. However, he did not live to fight, as he was killed immediately upon landing in Troy (knowing in advance and following the oracle’s prophecy, which stated that the first Greek to set foot on Trojan soil would die).<\/p>\n

Two of these significant ancient cities belong to the Municipality of Almyros. On the borders of our Municipality with the Municipality of Farsala lies the village of Phylaki. Ancient Phylaki<\/strong> was founded by King Phylakos, succeeded on the throne by his son Ifiklos, father of the Trojan War hero Protesilaus. The first settlements in Phylaki date back to the Neolithic era, around 5,000 BC. The prehistoric settlement continued to be inhabited during the Bronze Age and in later historical periods.<\/p>\n

Pteleos<\/strong>, the other city ruled by Protesilaus, is among the few cities that have retained the same name from the Homeric era to today. However, Homer mentions Ftelio, in the feminine form (Pteleos), but does not refer to it as a place with elm trees. The village’s name is not, as some believe, due to many elms growing in the area, but perhaps because the elm was considered a sacred tree, as it is said that the tomb of Protesilaus was shaded by elms. Pteleos’ significant history begins in pre-Homeric times, having established a namesake colony in the Peloponnese, and during the Peloponnesian War (421 BC) it was one of the most important ports.<\/p>\n

Far from the coastal areas and the plain, in the heart of Othrys lies Anavra, where remains of acropolises have been found, indicating settlements from ancient times. Initially, the castle “Morgias”<\/strong>, a Hellenistic acropolis with strong walls preserved to great height and extent. Near the acropolis, extensive ruins of ancient buildings are found. To the east of the castle, there is an ancient cemetery. East of “Morgias” castle is the “Koumarrochi” castle with Mycenaean tholos tombs. North of the settlement and east of “Koumarrochi,” on top of a rocky hill, ancient ruins survive. East of the “Kommenos Vrachos” and north of Anavra, near the provincial road Anavra \u2013 Almyros, lies the “Grintias” Castle<\/strong>. In the area, there is a small castle 200 m in diameter with a wall. Within the enclosure, foundations of Hellenistic buildings are visible, as inferred from collected ceramic findings.<\/p>\n

However, Mycenaean tholos tombs<\/strong> have been found not only in Anavra but also in the Pteleos area. At Gritsa, at the foot of the acropolis of Homeric Pteleos, the ruins of a Middle Helladic settlement were found. Four Mycenaean tombs are located at the hill’s base and one at Agioi Theodoroi. All the above show that the site began to be inhabited at the end of the Neolithic period and was definitively abandoned by the end of the Middle Helladic period.<\/p>\n

Certainly, in the wider area of the Municipality of Almyros, there are other ruins of ancient settlements, walls, acropolises, and cemeteries that have not yet been sufficiently studied and explored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Byzantine and Medieval Period<\/a><\/h4>\n

Certainly, the area of the Municipality of Almyros had intense activity throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as during the Middle Ages until the conquest of the area by the Ottomans. This is evidenced by the countless Byzantine remains, both on land and at sea. After all, there is no more significant testimony for this period than the Monastery of Panagia Xenia, which was built during this period.<\/p>\n

At that time, there were two settlements in the Almyros area, called “the two Almyroi,” separated by the Kouarios (Cholorema) river. One settlement was located at the site of ancient Alos (Kefalosi), while the second was coastal, in the Tsigkeli area. The coastal Almyros was a large commercial port, from which products of the Thessalian plain traveled throughout the Roman Empire. At that time, it was considered one of the three most important Thessalian cities, along with Larissa and Trikala. The port, as the great historian Paparrigopoulos notes, rivaled Thessaloniki in splendor and commercial development and was so well known that the Pagasetic Gulf itself took its name from it (it was called the Gulf of Almyros). This situation persisted until 1311, when in the Battle of Almyros between the Franks and Catalans, the Catalans won and subsequently destroyed the “Two Almyroi,” which were abandoned.<\/p>\n

During those centuries, there was also intense activity in the Sourpi area. Many ruined Byzantine settlements have been found in the area, while significant finds have been discovered in the maritime zone. The area where Amaliapoli is today was called Monolia, since the city of Amaliapoli (new Mitzela) was established in 1834. The settlement’s castle indicates habitation during the Byzantine years. In the picturesque Mitzela bay dominates the islet “Kikynthos.” From this islet to Neai, twelve shipwrecks from the late Roman and Byzantine periods have been identified in the sea.<\/p>\n

Leaving the maritime area and traveling to the eastern slopes of Othrys, north of Bryna and about 3 km away, are buried the ruins of a settlement named after Saint Demetrios. This settlement is believed to date to the early Byzantine centuries when Christians named their villages after saints. In the Drymonas area, there was also a Byzantine settlement, today called Palaiodrymonas. The current village was built about three kilometers above it, and from the existing ruins, it is concluded that it was quite large. According to tradition, the Byzantine settlement was then called Drymonas and was destroyed by a landslide.<\/p>\n

If we go deeper into Othry and reach Anavra, we find that in the Byzantine period, the area suffered intense barbarian raids, forcing many inhabitants to leave. The current settlement of Anavra (formerly Goura) dates from the 6th century AD.<\/p>\n

At the southern edges of the Municipality, archaeologists place the pre-Thessalian city of Pteleos near the port Pigadi, according to Professor Vaggelis Skouvaras. In the medieval period, Ftelio shifted to the site of the current village and is frequently mentioned in the history of Frankish- and Ottoman-ruled Thessaly. During the Byzantine Empire, vineyards and good wine thrived in the Pteleos area, as “the Pteleotic wine flows as a precious product to the queen of cities, like modern Campanian wine.” Pteleos was always one of the important Venetian ports in the Aegean Sea. Its castle also attests to this, as on the conical top of a hill, at the entrance of the harbor, a Venetian castle of 8×8 meters and very tall was built shortly after 1204. Today, a part of the Venetian castle survives and is visitable. The view from this point is unsurpassed.<\/p>\n

Ottoman Period<\/a><\/h4>\n
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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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 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).<\/p>\n

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:
\n1. 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.
\n2. The corresponding movement of 1848, in which many veterans of 1821 participated.
\n3. 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.
\n4. 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 rule, many moved permanently to this area. In 1528, Bryna was destroyed by the Turks, as recorded in the narthex of Ano Moni Xenia.<\/p>\n

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.).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

20th Century<\/a><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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:
\na) The 35 executed at the Almyros cemetery on August 15, 1943.
\nb) Just outside Agioi Theodoroi on May 5, 1943, 10 people were executed, nine from Achilleio and one from Agioi Theodoroi.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Modern Almyros<\/a><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/h4>\n

Othrys<\/a><\/h4>\n

The Othrys mountain range “covers” the entire Municipality of Almyros. Othrys stands imposing above Krokio and the Athamantio Plain. The mountain is also known as the mountain of the Titans. There, the “old gods” Titans had taken refuge, who were attacked by the “new gods” who had camped on Olympus. The battles were fierce and shook the entire world. Eventually, the gods of Olympus were the victors. On Mount Othrys, after the Titanomachy, Zeus entrusted the nymph Othryida (Othryida) with the grazing of his herds, which consisted of oxen. Thus, the mountain got its name from the nymph.<\/p>\n

The ancient historian Hellanikos, the first and oldest writer to mention the flood, wrote about the ark: “\u2026not to Parnassus, he says, but around Othrys of Thessaly.” Also, Hesiod wrote about Deucalion: “Those of Deucalion\u2019s lineage ruled Thessaly, as Hecataeus and Hesiod say.” While Apollodorus adds: “Prometheus\u2019 child Deucalion was born. He ruled the lands around Phthia.” According to the above, Deucalion’s ark, after the flood sent by Zeus, landed on Othrys. From the stones of Deucalion and Pyrrha, according to mythology, the human race was created. They were also the parents of Hellen, who married the nymph Othryida and had sons Achaeus, Dorus, Aeolus, and Ion, i.e., the progenitors of all Greek tribes.<\/p>\n

During the Middle Ages and until the late 19th century, it was referred to by many as the “mountains of Goura” after the homonymous town that flourished on its northeastern slope, the present Anavra of Magnesia. Mining flourished and continues to flourish throughout the mountain range, consisting of marble, ophite, and limestone. At times, there were bauxite, copper, iron, chromium, manganese, and lignite mines.<\/p>\n

On the peaks of Othrys, there was the seat of one of the ten armatolikia of Thessaly and Central Greece from the Byzantine era to the Ottoman period. The area was the scene of many conflicts between klephts and Ottoman troops.<\/p>\n

In the narthex of Ano Moni Xenia, information is recorded about bloody conflicts in the wider Othrys area: “\u2020 Year 1574 ind. Id\u2019. In Brynaina Aug. 23. A great calamity occurred, many people suffered from the klephts and troops. The aghas slaughtered, burned, plundered, and dragged.” Here, turbulent years are reflected, and scenes of frenzy and horror in Othrys are expressed. It is evident that from that time, during Suleiman I the Magnificent (1520-1566), there was resistance against the Ottomans.<\/p>\n

Also, at the end of the 18th century, a major conflict took place on the peak of Othrys, Gerakovouni, which is mentioned in various folk songs. The protagonists were the armatolos outlaw Liakos (against whom the Turkalbanians of Ali Pasha moved, led by Velingkeka) and the Koniars of Mustafa. The Koniars were the Turkish soldiers.<\/p>\n

During the resistance and the civil war, Othrys served as a base and refuge for partisans. More operations were conducted from the side of the mountain belonging to Phthiotis.<\/p>\n

The Tower of Almyros<\/a><\/h4>\n
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.<\/div>\n

The elders of the neighborhood nostalgically remember its large beautiful garden, full of mulberry, apricot, and cherry plum trees. Children secretly jumped over the large fence to taste the apricots, figs, and cherry plums, delicious fruits for that time, which were not abundant as today.<\/p>\n

The well-known Efxinoupoli writer Avra Papadopoulou was inspired by it for a beautiful short story of hers.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many historical details are missing. The tower belonged to Mehmet Afenti or Memet Efendi and was built during the Ottoman period. In 1886, five years after the liberation of Almyros from the Turks, Nikolaos Giannopoulos designed a view of Almyros of that era from the southern side. Thanks to this, we can have a depiction of the city immediately after the Ottoman period, which otherwise would be unknown to us. In this design, which is kept in the archives of the Philarchaean Society of Almyros “OTHRYS,” the Tower is depicted among other buildings.<\/p>\n

It was built mostly with stones, “krokales,” i.e., round stones from Xirias. Its corners, however, were carved with a thickness of 50 centimeters. The walls were one and a half meters thick.<\/p>\n

Externally, horizontal lines were visible, which were its wooden beams, and around it were small, narrow vertical openings, four on the second floor and four on the third, used as battlements but also for lighting the interior of the tower, as there were no proper windows. On the western side of the tower was its one and only very heavy door, wooden inside and iron outside with horizontal iron plates. The door measured 1 meter wide and 2 meters high. It was said to weigh 1000 okas and had a lock with a very large handmade iron key. This key is still in the possession of Anastasios Gkargas.<\/p>\n

Internally, for greater security, the door had a bolt, which secured the single-leaf door and made forced opening from the outside impossible. In front of the entrance was a small veranda reached by five steps.<\/p>\n

Next to the Tower, there were other buildings: two-story luxurious constructions where the masters of the tower, Turkish titleholders, lived; small annexes where the servants lived; as well as warehouses for goods, stables for animals, barns, sheds, and three wells for water supply. The entire complex was surrounded by a high stone wall.<\/p>\n

In the huge garden, they cultivated mulberries, around 100 trees, and raised silkworms for many years until 1930. Before the earthquake, until 1980, there were still 15 mulberries in the garden, whose leaves the owners exclusively fed to their goats, 2 apricot trees, 2 almond trees, and 1 large fig tree.<\/p>\n

In 1912, Athanasios Konstantinou Gkargas, grandfather of Anastasios Gkargas, arrived in Almyros from Constantinople with his family and bought the Tower.<\/p>\n

Today, on this site, after the demolition of the Tower, there is nothing to testify to its existence, not even a single stone, as many residents of Almyros took them to build their houses, similar to what they did with the stones of Stratona.<\/p>\n

Anastasios Gkargas, son of Konstantinos, whose family inherited the Tower, holds a notarial deed from 1913, according to which a plot and a house located at the site of the Tower of Almyros were donated during his lifetime by Athanasios Konstantinou Gkargas to his son Konstantinos Athan. Gkargas.<\/p>\n

From the website of the Philarchaean Society of Almyros “Othrys”
\nThe Tower of Almyros
\nChrysoula D. Kontogeorgaki,
\nWednesday, June 25, 2008 \u2013 10:20<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Antiquity to Byzantium The evidence of human presence in the Almyros area, which has been identified today, is not yet able to give us very deep dates in human history. Significant findings have been uncovered by archaeological research. Human presence in the wider area has been intense since the Neolithic era. The wider Almyros area […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14274","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nHistory - \u0394\u03ae\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u0391\u03bb\u03bc\u03c5\u03c1\u03bf\u03cd<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/almyros-city.gr\/en\/history\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"History - \u0394\u03ae\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u0391\u03bb\u03bc\u03c5\u03c1\u03bf\u03cd\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Antiquity to Byzantium The evidence of human presence in the Almyros area, which has been identified today, is not yet able to give us very deep dates in human history. Significant findings have been uncovered by archaeological research. Human presence in the wider area has been intense since the Neolithic era. 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