Loutra Edipsu - Thermal Springs

According to mythology, the goddess Athena asked Hephaestus (the god who tamed fire) to create a hot spring. So that Heracles could go there to rest after his exploits. Hephaestus, fulfilling Athena's wish, struck his hammer on the rock of Edipsos, from which the hot springs began to flow. Owing to the beneficial effects of the thermal springs, Edipsos has been an important resort since ancient times. According to historical accounts, it experienced its hours of glory during the Roman Empire, when it was visited by the Roman commander Sulla. After finding relief from his illness, he thanked the town by building the first baths, the ruins of which are located near the church of Agioi Anargiri. Since then, the thermal springs have hosted many Roman emperors such as Augustus, Septimus Severus, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, as well as Byzantines such as Constantine the Great and Theodosius. In our period, Edipsos was visited by Onassis, Churchill, Greta Garbo and other famous personalities of the time. An example of the city's prosperity are the buildings that have survived to this day on the coastal road of Edipsos.