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Aidipsos
Spa - Aidipsos - Ilia - Agiokambos History
The history of Aidipsos is closely associated with its therapeutic thermal springs. The medicinal properties of its waters where well known from the ancient times and they are mentioned by many distinquished writers. Aristotle in his «Meteorologika» attempts to explain the orgin and the composition of the water. Stravon refers to the springs of Aidipsos as the Loutra (baths) of Hercules since, according to tradition, he used to come to the baths to restore his lost strength. Plutarch mentioned the well organised facilities that Aidipsos provided and his pleasant stay there calling the Spa «the common lodging of Greece». Heroditos and Aristophanes also refer to the Spa with its mineral waters. Over the centuries the Spa underwent many changes. According to Stravona the springs dried up for three days after an earthquake. When the springs starting to flow again, fresh spring appeared at the same time. A similar phenomenon was observed much later in 1894 when an earthquake caused many new spring to flow, however they were active for only a short time. According to an Athenian writer, a cold mineral spring appeared close to the hot springs during the Hellenistic period. During the Roman period, the fame of the Spa spread all over the know world and many people traveled long distances to visit it. The Roman general Sulla visited Aidipsos when he was suffering from gout (i.e. arthritis or rheunatism in the legs). He built some baths called the «Baths of Sulla», a few traces of which one can still see today. It is said that the Roman Emperors Augusts, Andrianos, Markos Avrilios, Speptimios, Seviros and Karakalas also visited the Spa. Furthermore it is mentioned that the Byzantine Emperors Constantine and Theodosios went to the Spa to cure their illnesses.
Remains of the ancient town have been indicated close to today's town of Loutra. Only a few things are know about the public and private buildings which we have from written sources, because the ruins of the ancient town have not been excavated yet. At the beginning of this century, ruins of spa installations from 2nd and 3rd century A.D. were discovered and these has been used during Byzantium, Pedestals, which were bases for statues of important visitors, have also been found. In later years many distinguished figures visited Aidipso and were impressed by its beauty. Among them were Eleftherios Veniselos, Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onasis and Greta Garbo. Aidipsos is ready to offer its services to anyone who is seeking escape from every day routine. |
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Geographical
position and features