Aidipsos ор Edipsos is a village in the prefecture of Evia and a local seat
of the Municipality of Istiaia - Edipsos as it was established
according to the Kallikratis Program. It is located 4 km north of
the Baths of Edipsos and 110 km northwest of Chalkida. Its
population is 1,249 inhabitants, according to the 2011 census.
In the center of the village Edipsos is the Church of the
Assumption of the Virgin which is built since 1860 and has a
basilica style. The Church celebrates on the 15th of August where a
festival is organized and on the eve a procession of the icon takes
place.
The relatively short distance from the Baths of Edipsos has
almost united the two parts, however it is not a single city. The
village of Edipsos maintains its own Metropolitan Church, Primary
School and Kindergarten.
Edipsos is a picturesque village,
with beautiful houses and courtyards. Many of the traditions and
customs are observed, such as the Burning of the Wreaths, of "Ai
Giannis Tou Riganas" and, during the Carnival, a celebration with
dances is organized in the square. Also, in Edipsos there is a
strong religious element.
In the center of the village is the
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin which is built since 1860,
inaugurated in 1872 and is a basilica. The church celebrates on the
15th of August, where a festival is organized and on the eve a
procession of the icon takes place.
Behind the square, on a
small hill and next to the cemetery of Edipsos, is I.N. Saint
Nicola's. It dates back to before 1800, while its lowest entrance is
typical, which was used during the Turkish occupation so that the
Turks would not loot the temple.
A few meters higher is the
church of the Prophet Elias, in which traditional services are held
on the eve and on the day of his feast and whose view - the North
Evia and the area of Edipsos - is magnificent.
On the
southwest side of the village, on a hill is the primary school of
the village, which has been operating since the beginning of the
20th century.
The beach of the village of Edipsos is Agios
Nikolaos, an area with beautiful beaches and seaside taverns,
pizzerias and cafes / bars. There is also a church of the same name,
with a long history. On the day of the Epiphany, the sanctification
of the waters takes place.
Outside Edipsos, on the mountain,
is I.N. of Agia Paraskevi, which is especially worshiped by the
locals, with several women bearing the name of Agia. The view of the
area is idyllic. The relatively newly built church has been built a
few meters away from the old one, for which the only elements
available are some stones.
Next to
the New Temple is the "Tower of Edipsos" or "Frangoula". It is a
14th century Venetian square tower. It is preserved at a fairly high
height and is a ruined tower that is believed to have been the
residence of Baroness Petronella Toko. Petronella Tokko was the Lady
of Edipsos and Lichades between 1383 and 1410. She left in 1410,
apparently due to the ever-increasing at that time in Northern Evia.
It is no coincidence that in one of the most organized pirate
and robbery raids that took place in 1414 by land and sea, Edipsos,
both the ancient (today's Loutropoli) and the newer (village) were
completely destroyed and their inhabitants were sold as slaves in
the bazaars of East and North Africa.
Some of the chapels located around the village are the Temples: Zoodochou Pigi, Agios Athanasios, Agios Spyridon, Agios Konstantinos, Agios Apostolos, as well as the iconostasis of Agios Marina, Vlasios, Fanourios, Triados, Ioannos Prodromos , where prayers are performed on the eve of their holidays.