Distomo - Steiri

Located 140 km from Athens and 13 km from Arachova, along the Athens–Livadeia–Delphi National Road, lies the martyr town of Distomo.

Distomo is built at an altitude of 450 meters, spreading across a six-hilled slope that descends into a small valley. It is surrounded by gentle and rugged mountain landscapes and harmoniously meets the beautiful coastline of the northern Corinthian Gulf. Three pre-Mycenaean tombs confirm continuous habitation since 1500 BC. In antiquity, the coastal city of Medeon, mentioned in Homer’s Iliad, flourished in this area. During the Pre-Classical period, Distomo developed a rich culture and became known as Ambryssos, named after the hero-king Ambrosseas. Around 338 BC, during the Sacred War, Philip II of Macedon destroyed Ambryssos, which was later rebuilt.

In 198 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans. During Roman and Byzantine times, its harbor (today’s Distomo Beach) became an important commercial hub. In the 10th century, Distomo was elevated to an Episcopal see. During the Greek War of Independence (1821), the town participated actively and became the site of one of Georgios Karaiskakis’ most significant battles; his headquarters are preserved to this day.