Kamena Vourla is a seaside town in the regional unit of
Fthiotida. Kamena Vourla is located on the northwest coast of the
North Evian Gulf, while just behind the city rise the steep slopes
of Mount Knimis. The favorable position of Kamena Vourla near
Athens, from which they are 175 km away, through the
Athens-Thessaloniki highway and just 40 km from Lamia, as well as
the combination of sea and forested mountain turned the area into a
remarkable resort, mainly during the 1960s and 1970s. Today they
continue to attract mainly visitors from nearby areas such as
K.A.P.I. and others in particular for its therapeutic sources.
At a distance of only 8 km, following an uphill route, is the
so-called Monastery of Agia or Karya, officially the Holy Monastery
of the Transfiguration of the Savior, whose construction dates back
to the 11th century. The view from this Monastery is amazing. Parish
church is the church of Agios Panteleimon on the beach and in the
middle of the settlement, which celebrates on July 27. Also at a
distance of about 24 km (west) from Kamena Vourla is the historic
mound - monument of Thermopylae with the imposing statue of the King
of the Spartans Leonidas, while also at a short distance (south) is
Karya, one of the most beautiful mountains settlements of Fthiotida.
According to one version, the name of the town comes from
the city of Vourla in the province of Izmir in Turkey (Asia Minor)
which in 1992 and during the Asia Minor Catastrophe were set on
fire, while their population was slaughtered, ie the "burned Vourla"
became Kamena Vourla . According to the Dictionary of the Modern
Greek Language, "the name of the town is due to the way in which the
drainage and drainage of the swampy area that used to cover the area
was done".
The thermal springs
The thermal springs of
Kamena Vourla became known around 1926, in the interwar period when
the chemist Michael Pertesis discovered that their radon content is
unique and superior to corresponding European sources, thus
determining their great benefit to humans. So in the 1930s, about
ten years later, they began to be used and the first modern hotels
were built in the city. After the war, Kamena Vourla gained a great
reputation by attracting personalities from all over the world.
Kamena Vourla is located on the northwestern shores of the Northern
Euboean gulf, while directly behind the city rise the steep slopes of
Mount Knimis. The favorable position of Kamena Vourla near Athens, from
which it is 175 km away via the Athens-Thessaloniki highway and 40 km
from Lamia, as well as the combination of sea and wooded mountain turned
the area into a remarkable resort, mainly during the 1960s and 1970s.
Today they still attract mainly visitors from nearby areas especially
for its healing springs.
At a distance of 8 km, following an
uphill route, is the so-called Monastery of Agia or Karya, officially
the Holy Transfiguration Monastery of Sotiros, whose construction dates
back to the 11th century. The parish church is the church of Agios
Panteleimon on the beach and in the middle of the settlement, which
celebrates on July 27.] Also at a distance of about 24 km (west) from
Kamena Vourla is the historical mound - monument of Thermopylae with the
statue of King of the Spartans Leonidas, while also a short distance
(south) is Karya.
It seems that the origin of the name of the coastal town is a
mystery, when in fact, a research reveals a version: the original name
of Kameni Vourla was "Paliochori". During the Turkish occupation, the
inhabitants, in order to escape a Turkish raid on their village, hid in
the burla, in the watery plants that surrounded the settlement, and thus
they were saved. As soon as the danger had passed, and as the
Paliochorites were commenting on their salvation, one of them said "may
the poor vourlas be well!" and from this phrase the community got its
new name.
The fact is, however, that this name was formalized as
"Kaymena Vourla" in August 1912 in the decree of George I "recognizing
Communities in the Prefecture of Fthiotidos and Phokidos". Specifically,
it is stated that "the settlements of Thronion and Kaymena Vourla of the
community of Kainourgion" are recognized as communities, as they have
"fewer than 300 inhabitants, but having a school". The decree is dated
August 29, 1912 and is signed, on behalf of the king, by the regent
Konstantinos the Crown Prince and the Minister of the Interior Emmanuel
Repoulis, while it was published on page 261 of the Government Gazette.
Of course, it follows from this that it is not possible for Kamena
Vourla to have taken their name from Kamena Vourla, since the
destruction of the Asia Minor city took place in 1922, ten years after
the publication of the decree documenting the name "Kamena Vourla".
According to the Dictionary of the Modern Greek Language, "the name of
the town is due to the way in which the drainage and drying of the
marshy area that used to cover the area was done".
The thermal springs of Kameni Vourla became known around 1926, in the interwar period when the chemist Michael Pertesis discovered that their radon content is unique and superior to corresponding European springs, thus determining their great benefit to humans. So in the 1930s, about ten years later, their utilization began and the first modern hotels were built in the city. After the war Kamena Vourla gained a great reputation attracting personalities from all over the world.
Kamena Vourla is the seat of the municipality of Molos-Agios Konstantinos and their population is 2,742 inhabitants. They are officially mentioned as a settlement after the liberation in 1897 in the Government Gazette 59B - 17/06/1897 to be annexed to the then municipality of Throni. In 1947, with the Government Gazette 137A - 08/07/1947, the seat of the then newly established homonymous community was designated.