Efpalio ( el, Ευπάλιο) is a village and a former municipality in

Phocis Phocis ( el, Φωκίδα ; grc, Φωκίς) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece. It stretches from the western mountainsides of Parnassus on the east to the mountain range of Vardo ...

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...

. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality

Dorida Dorida ( el, Δωρίδα) is a municipality in the Phocis regional unit, Central Greece, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Lidoriki. The municipality has an area of 998.893 km2. Municipality The municipality Dorida was forme ...

, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 204.207 km². Population 6,086 (2011). The municipal unit Efpalio consists of sixteen communities: Kastraki, Efpalio, Managouli, Trikorfo, Malamata, Marathias, Monastiraki, Klima, Sergoula, Filothei, Kampos, Potidaneia, Teichio, Drosato, Palaioxari, and Pyrgos.

Monasteries

The area is also known for several important monasteries such as: * The monastery of Panagia of Varnakova. It is a

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...

monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...

, built in 1077 A.D. by

Saint Arsenios In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and denomination. In Catholic, Eastern Ort ...

. Varnakova was a centre of

Orthodoxy Orthodoxy (from Greek: ) is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion. Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churc ...

and

Greek culture The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Minoan and later in Mycenaean Greece, continuing most notably into Classical Greece, while influencing the Roman Empire and its successor the Byzantine Empire. Other cult ...

, in the years during which the Latins influenced Western Greece and mainly during the Frankish rule when there were plans for converting Greek people into Catholics under the Pope of Rome. During the war of 1821 it was the center of supply for the freedom fighters of Roumeli. Today the sacred monastery of Panagia of Varnakova, found in the engulf of a great forest is a place of spiritual peace. * The newly built Monasteries of Trikorfo of St Augustine's and Seraphim of Sarof. It is well known for its 400 bells and 62 church bells, as well as the musical monk group “Paparockades” * The historic monastery of St John of Thermes at the big springs of the river of Mantilo. * The old Christian church of Ascension of the Savior in New Koukoura. * The beautiful St John's monastery of Efpalio made with Byzantine technique, and unique art. It is built on the fringe of Efpalio "Platanitsa" area. It is place of refreshment and religious celebrations.

Other points of interest

*the popular Art Museum of Efpalio *the Mornos river dam and the man made lake it has created *Kefalogiefyro, an excellent and unique bridge in the region, perfectly constructed and well preserved over the narrow pass of Mornopotamos.

References

Populated places in Phocis {{CentralGreece-geo-stub