Neokhórion: Festive Days, History and Landscape

Neokhórion can be explored through several specific local points of interest: Oichalia lies on the Trikala–Larissa National Road; festive days, the Koutseki Konaki and a plane-tree forest add to the picture. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can start by planning around your interests. What matters may be whether you want to focus on local celebrations, a historic building or the landscape. These are different starting points: a calendar date, local history or an interest in the landscape.

Location between Trikala and Larissa

Oichalia, formerly called Neochori, lies at kilometre 21 of the Trikala–Larissa National Road. Oichalia is 21 km from Trikala and 40 km from Larissa. In a direct comparison, Trikala is the closer of the two reference points. The two instances of 21 have different functions: one indicates the kilometre marker on the national road, while the other indicates the distance from Trikala. Together with the 40 km from Larissa, they provide a concise orientation between two clearly named cities.

Festive days on the calendar

The major festival in Oichalia on 15 August is one of the largest gatherings of residents, particularly those who live abroad. In the Church of Panagia in Oichalia, 15 August and Easter Monday are associated with celebrations. For the August date, two local points of reference can therefore be distinguished: the major residents’ festival and the celebrations in the church. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Oichalia; his feast is celebrated there every year on 6 December. The 15 August date thus links the major residents’ festival with the church, while 6 December provides a second, clearly dated annual celebration. If you would like to plan a trip around a celebration, check the specific programme in advance.

Koutseki Konaki and local history

The Koutseki Konaki is located in the centre of Oichalia. In 1997, a decision by the Minister of Culture designated it as a protected historic monument. This brings together a geographical and a historical reference: its central location establishes where the building is, while the decision dates its protection. For travellers interested in cultural history, the Konaki is a distinct topic in local history alongside the festive days. The building’s location and protected status provide two different points of reference.

Plane-tree forest northwest of Oichalia

The plane-tree forest lies northwest of Oichalia. It is described as the largest plane-tree forest in Thessaly and also as the site of the region’s largest colony of corvids. The two superlatives refer to different areas of comparison: the first places the forest’s size in the context of Thessaly, while the second refers to the corvid colony in the region. The size of the forest and the colony are therefore two distinct aspects of the description of this area. Those particularly interested in landscape and nature will find a different focus here than in the festive calendar and historic monument.

Discover more destinations: Vlacha, Apostoli, Kastraki, Gavros, Kalampaka, Pýrra, Paleopirgos, Elati

For the broader travel overview: Trikala.