Galaxidi or Galaxeidi (), is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of Phocis, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Delphi, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 126.088&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

Galaxidi is built on a natural double harbor on the west coast of the Gulf of Itea, which is a northward bay of the Gulf of Corinth. It is 7&nbsp;km southwest of Itea, 15&nbsp;km southwest of Delphi, 17&nbsp;km south of Amfissa and 48&nbsp;km east of Nafpaktos. The Greek National Road 48 connects Galaxidi with Nafpaktos, Itea and Delphi. Galaxidi is a 2.5-3 hour drive from Athens and a relatively popular weekend retreat. The territory of the municipal unit hosts the site of the ancient town of Chalaeum.

History

Ancient Haleion

Modern Galaxidi is built on the site of ancient Haleion, a city of western Locris. Traces of habitation are discernible since prehistoric times with a peak in the Early Helladic Period (Anemokambi, Pelekaris, Kefalari, islet of Apsifia). A significant Mycenaean settlement has been located at Villa; the hill of St. Athanasios also revealed a fortified Geometric settlement (ca. 700 BC). In the Archaic and Classical periods (7th-4th centuries BC) was developed the administrative and religious centre at the modern site of Agios Vlasis. It seems that in ca. 300 BC the present site was settled and surrounded by a fortification wall; it is the period of the expansion of power of the Aetolian League. Haleion flourished throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods until the 2nd century AD.

Middle Ages

Galaxidi is mentioned for the first time in the late 10th century (981 or 996), when it was destroyed in a raid by the Bulgarians under Tsar Samuel. The inhabitants fled to the offshore islands, and the town was not settled again until 50 years later. The most important harbour of the Gulf of Itea alongside Krissa, the town was again devastated by the Norman invasions of 1081 and 1147. These were all 'illegally exported' in the 19th century. In 1973 these vessels were identified through the discovery of a bell-shaped lekythos and a tall handle, reminiscent of two lekythoi in the British Museum and one in Edinburgh which bear the indication “Galaxeidi”.

In a corner case a globular amphora of the Late Early Helladic II period

(2400-2200 B.C.) from Anemokambi is displayed, covered entirely with shell residues [?]. In a compartment with sand on the floor are seven commercial amphoras for transportation of wine, dated to various periods and from different regions (Corinth, Corfu, Cnidus, Hellenistic of the 1st century B.C., Aegean type of the 5th-6th century A.D).

At the end of the hall are displayed finds from Agios Athanasios (Geometric period) and from the town of Galaxeidi itself (Classical-Roman period). Part of a Roman marble statue and a funerary relief as well as three inscribed funerary stele of the late Hellenistic period are displayed.

Geometric pottery comprises mainly skyphoi and wine jugs from Corinth as well as other vessels. The Hellenistic pottery comprises lagynoi, Corinthian kantharoi, miniature lekythoi, etc. Among the Roman vessels one with a gladiator design stands out, as well as another with a cupid and a third with the a female figure holding torches and wearing a crescent on her head, possibly a representation of Night.

Maritime Museum of Galaxidi

Maritime Museum of Galaxidi, a museum which includes the Chronicle of Galaxidi which was published by Konstantinos Sathas in 1865. It used to serve as a town hall for Galaxidi.

Flour Wars

thumb|A view

thumb|St Nicholas Church.

thumb|Street of the town.

The Carnival Season in Greece ends with the celebration of Clean Monday which coincides with the beginning of the Greek Orthodox Lent. On that particular day the custom of Alevromoutzouroma (, literally Flour Smudging, or else Flour Wars), takes place in Galaxidi. The origins of the custom are unclear, however it appears in its current form since the mid-19th century.

Around noon, locals and visitors of all ages dressed up in old clothes rendezvous at a predefined location where flour is distributed in large quantities. Various types of coloring is added for effect while people paint their faces with charcoal. Then they march to the harbor which is usually split into a war zone and a neutral zone for the observers and the fight begins. The participants throw coloured flour at each other (and at unsuspecting bystanders) until everyone runs out of supplies.

The event often attracts media coverage.

Notable people

  • Constantine Sathas, historian
  • Spyros Vassiliou, artist

See also

  • List of settlements in Phocis

References

  • History of Galaxidi
  • Maritime Museum of Galaxidi
  • Association of Hoteliers & Tourist Accommodation Entrepreneurs of Galaxidi and Agii Pantes of Fokida