Arachova

For the village in Aetolia-Acarnania, see Platanos, Aetolia-Acarnania. For the village in Arcadia, see Iraia. For the village in Laconia, see Karyes.
Arachova
Αράχωβα
Municipal unit
Clockwise from top: View of Arachova, Arachova Town Hall, view of the center, a street in Arachova, Arachova Clock Tower, Arachova Square, Church of Agios Georgios
Arachova is located in Greece
Arachova
Arachova
Location within the regional unit
Coordinates: 38°29′N 22°35′E / 38.483°N 22.583°E / 38.483; 22.583
CountryGreece
Administrative regionCentral Greece
Regional unitBoeotia
MunicipalityDistomo-Arachova-Antikyra
Area
 • Municipal unit139.45 km2 (53.84 sq mi)
Elevation
968 m (3,176 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Municipal unit
2,439
 • Municipal unit density17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
320 04
Area code(s)22670
Vehicle registrationΒΙ
Websitearachova.com

Arachova (Greek: Αράχωβα, also Αράχοβα) is a mountain town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia. Since the 2011 local government reform it is a municipal unit, part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra.[2] It is a tourist destination due to its location in the mountains, its traditions and its proximity to the town of Delphi. The town is a popular day or weekend trip destination from Attica and a gathering place for the rich and famous. This is not to be confused with Caryae (also spelled Karye) which is a town in the Southern Peleponnese that used to be called Arachova.

Greek rebels under Georgios Karaiskakis defeated the Ottomans at the 1826 Battle of Arachova.

The Formaela cheese from Arachova has been designated as a protected designation of origin.[3] Nearby Arachova, modern ski facilities are popular with visitors. Although contemporary culture tends to outdo regional folklore, the town maintains some local customs and demonstrates them at celebrations on 23 April, in the honor of the patron Saint George.

Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its "brusque", the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts and woodcut creations as well.

  1. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
  2. ^ "ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  3. ^ WIPO