Larissos

Larissos (Greek: Λαρίσσος) is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality West Achaea, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat of administration was in the village Lappas, part of the community Metochi. The municipal unit was named after the river Larissos, which flows through it. It is the westernmost municipal unit of Achaea, stretching along the Ionian Sea coast and the border with Elis to the southern part of the Movri hills. It is about 32 km southwest of Patras is 37and 50 km north of Pyrgos.

The area is mostly flat, except the Movri hills in the southeast and the lower Mavra Vouna hills in the northwest, near Cape Araxos. Araxos Airport (GPA). The archaeological site of the ancient town of Dyme is located 1 km south.

Subdivisions

The municipal unit Larissos is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):

Larissos (river)

Larissos (Greek: Λάρισσος, also Riolitiko) is a river in the western part of Achaea, southern Greece. Its source is on the western slope of the Movri hills, near the village Mataragka. It flows through the Prokopos lagoon, and empties into the Ionian Sea in the village Kalogria. Other villages along its course are Kagkadi, Apideonas and Lappas. Its complete course lies within the municipal unit Larissos, which took its name from the river.

History

In Antiquity it was the boundary between Achaea and Elis. Near the river the ancient cities Dyme and (according to Strabo) Larissa were located. According to Greek mythology, Heracles drank the waters on his way to clean the Aegean stables.

References