Doliche (Thessaly)

Doliche (Greek: Δολίχη), was an ancient Greek city in Perrhaebia in Thessaly, situated at the foot of Mount Olympus. Doliche, with the two neighbouring towns of Azorus and Pythion (Pythium), formed a Tripolis. The site is occupied by the modern town of the same name; when William Martin Leake visited the site in the 19th century, he found two fragments of Doric columns 2 feet 8 inches (81 cm) in diameter in a ruined church, and a sepulchral stone in the burying-ground, together with some squared blocks.^[1][2]

Doliche is situated on the west foot of mountain Olympus, 21 km from Elassona to Katerini, at an attitude of 5,90 m. According to the last census in 2001, the population of Doliche was 473 people. With the municipal district of Livadi they constitute the municipality of Livadi of the prefecture Larissa. However, 2011 will comprise the municipality Elassona. Its inhabitants are mainly occupied with farming and agriculture (tobacco, grain, sugar beets, corn, clover etc.)

In Doliche traces of prehistoric settlements in different regions. Along with Azoro and Pythia, in antiquity, was very great "Perraiviki Tripoli, the inhabitants of which, together called "Tripolitai". In addition, an archaeologist Arvanitopoulos made the link the three cities should be regarded as the premier Amphictyony in Greece. Farther north in Thessaly was the fastest guard passes from Macedonia to Thessaly and vice versa and in most cases was the battleground of foreign invasions and so, probably not preserved art and more elements of civilization.

Attractions in the village include:

• The Church of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ, located in the central square and a Byzantine monument, probably of the 13th AD century.
• The hill of Prophet Elias in antiquity was probably the ancient castle of Doliche Perrhaebiki Tripolis.
• The Folk Museum has been operating since 2007.
• The site at "fort", which according to the researchers placed the Kastri paliochristianiki Doliche. The castle is "station" on cultural and tourist development Doliche and the wider region.

Doliche made annually in various events, which, inter alia:

• The "Rokatsaria" or "Bampaliouria" every New Year.
• The standard "Ntampres" every Sunday of the carnival.
• "Clean Monday" in square Doliche with halva, pickles, olives, Lagana and wine.
• The "Lazarines" an old tradition revived, Palm Sunday, where women dressed in traditional dancing and singing in the central square of Doliche, Songs of Lazarus.
• The "Tsakna" every Sunday before Palm Sunday.
• The Day is celebrated mainly in the hill of Prophet Elias and the 'conclusions'.
• The Festival "Perrhaebiki Tripolis", held every second Saturday of July since 2008 is a benchmark for updating the progress of archaeological excavations at ancient Perrhaebiki Tripoli and the general area Perrhaebia. Flanked by archaeologists lectures and special photo exhibition, dance groups, etc.
  • 2008: 1st Festival: Keynote speaker was Digger - archaeologist of the site "Kastri Doliche" Mr Spyros Kougioumtzoglou.
  • 2009: second Festival: The keynote speaker was professor of prehistoric archeology and former Vice Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr George Hourmouziadis.
  • 2010: 3rd Festival: The keynote speaker was Professor of classical archaeology and president of the New Acropolis Museum Mr Dimitrios Pandermalis.
  • 2011: 4th Festival: The keynote speaker was professor of anthropology and researcher of the Cave Petralona Mr Aris Poulianos.

The celebration of the village is the largest and most popular festivals in the Prefecture of Larissa. Celebrated 5 and August 6 because of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Transfiguration (13th century AD.). On August 5 the Great celebrated Vespers in the Byzantine church and the solemn Mass celebrated on August 6 in the homonymous Agios Dimitrios, the patron Saint of Doliche. And two nights -5 and 6 August- to show dance groups, including the dance group Doliche, followed a large feast in the central square with popular and folk music.

The cultural association "TRIPOLITIDA"

References

1. Polyb. xxviii. 11; Liv. xlii. 53, xliv. 2; Ptol. iii. 13. § 42; William Martin Leake, Northern Greece, vol. iii. p. 344.
2. Talbert, Richard. Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press, 2000, ISBN 0-691-04945-9 p. 50.

Sources

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

Coordinates: 40°3′51″N 22°10′7″E / 40.06417°N 22.16861°E