Larissa is a modern, diverse city boasting university schools, theatre tradition, important museums and archaeological sites, as well as a wide range of activities.
One of these is cycling. The city’s flat terrain makes it ideal for two-wheeled rides. In recent years, increases in fuel prices, the general shift towards healthy living, the coronavirus pandemic and the projects carried out under the sustainable urban development plan have all contributed to the growing popularity of cycling.
Today, in the centre of Larissa you’ll see numerous bicycles, electric scooters and people in wheelchairs that previously had no room to move. There is not a student who does not use a bicycle for daily commuting; but there are also many elderly people who have gone back to cycling out of necessity and have come to love it.
“I started cycling 4 years ago. At that time, my car was out of order for a long time and I had no money to repair it,” says Kostas K. “Eventually the bike became my permanent means of transport; the car was simply retired for recycling”.
The case of Kostas, a man whose change in mobility habits came out of necessity, demonstrates how important it is to make our cities more accessible.
And if some people don’t feel physically ready to use a bike for their commute, there are alternatives. Such as e-bikes, electrically assisted bicycles.
The PPC e-bike Festival goes to Larissa
For all these reasons, the “PPC e-bike Festival” will take place on the weekend of 27 and 28 November at the Central Square of Larissa.
This alternative festival is emerging in our country out of the needs of everyday life in urban areas, where traffic congestion and the difficulty of getting around require sustainable solutions.
Through a unique road show, PPC actively declares its active participation in environmental protection and urban sustainability issues and gives citizens the opportunity to enjoy the largest test ride of electrically assisted bicycles in Greece.
Citizens who will be in Larissa this weekend will have the opportunity to see more than 50 bicycle models of different brands and categories (city, road, folding, hiking and mountain). Moreover, they will have the opportunity to test the most interesting bikes on the market, in real conditions, on a specially built track, and to see with their own eyes why an electrically assisted bike can be the immediate solution that a modern city like Larissa is looking for – this is something that will happen for the first time in Greece.
Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to get a comprehensive overview of global market trends, through a wide range of representative models of electrically assisted bicycles, both for urban mobility and for leisure, sport or tourism, bicycles that take us further, easier and more fun and are the definition of “Green Energy”.
The PPC e-Bike Festival answers the questions and concerns we all have about mobility in the sustainable cities of the future, proposes the use of bicycles and encourages us to make a change that will enlighten our lives and improve conditions not only in the city, but also on our planet.
The event was a great success in another cycling city in Greece, Trikala, on 13 and 14 November.
Hundreds of people of all ages gathered to the town square and enjoyed the festival activities. They participated in games of skill, winning eco-memorabilia, while dozens of pre-school children took conventional cycling lessons with the festival’s expert staff. The business community showed particular interest in the specially built bicycles for transporting goods. Some of them even stated that they will be in Larissa for the next PPC e-bike festival.
One thing is for sure, this weekend, the PPC e-bike Festival is the best excuse to visit a charming and ever-growing city.
A city for all tastes
Whether you are a cyclist or not, Larissa is a place where visitors never get bored. Below are some interesting suggestions of things to do while in the city. To remind its residents of its diverse profile and to introduce aspiring visitors to it.
The city of coffee
The city has hundreds of cafés. Besides, one of the most famous Greek coffee chains started here and expanded throughout the country.
From midday onwards, the cafés are full, whether it’s weekdays or weekends. In addition to coffee, snacks, cocktails and drinks are offered in great quantity, variety and quality.
The Frourio Hill (Ancient Acropolis)
The fact that in a flat city there is a point called “Hill” is certainly interesting. The pedestrian streets in the city centre lead there. The road passes by various monuments, such as the Ottoman Bezestini (roofed market), until you reach the “Acropolis”, i.e. the fortress.
Modern squares, lots of greenery and traditional taverns will make you spend some time there.
Two ancient theatres
The two ancient theatres of Larissa are called Ancient Theatre A’ and Ancient Theatre B’. The first one is located in the centre of the city and is the most important archaeological monument of Larissa. Its excavation and restoration took many years, a lot of effort and a lot of money. It was built in Hellenistic times, endowing its spectators with a unique sensation. It is worth noting that the magnificent building had a capacity of 10,000 people and was also used as an arena during Roman times.
Ancient Theatre B’ is much smaller. Its construction began in the 1st century BC when Ancient Theatre A’ was converted into an arena. However, its construction was never completed. Only the scene and the orchestra were built, while the koilon and the parodoi were left unfinished.
Alcazar Park
For more than a century it has been the trademark of the city. To make its long history clearer, it is worth noting that at the end of the 19th century and just before the Second World War, equestrian competitions were held here. Then, and until 1990, it used to be a zoo. Today it is the favourite recreational area of the people of Larissa.
During the summer months, the lush green trees and the coolness from the Pineios River make it one of the best spots in Larissa, a city notorious for its high temperatures. Nearby is the Alcazar stadium, the home-ground of the football team AEL, another symbol of Larissa.
The Mill of Pappas
The building started operating in 1893, when Larissa’s Ottoman experience was very recent, which is reflected in the architecture of the building.
It is certainly a majestic building with an awe-inspiring façade. Today it hosts a cultural centre with a small theatre, a visual arts workshop, a dance school, etc.
The Timeless Museum
The Timeless Museum is a real jewel for the whole region of Thessaly, both for its architecture and its exhibits.
The history of the entire region from the Palaeolithic era until today unfolds through the impressive exhibits and the special way in which they are displayed.
Excursion to the beautiful settlement of Ampelakia
In summer, most people go to Agiokampos for swimming. If you find yourself in the area, make sure you visit the historic preserved settlement of Ambelakia. There, in the 18th century, the inhabitants founded a very successful yarn dyeing cooperative. The mansions of this stunning village bear witness to the settlement’s prosperity back then.
Cycling out of the city
Since our main topic is bicycles, we’ll conclude as follows. Because the land around Larissa is flat, the city is an ideal starting point for cycling tours.
City bikes with the appropriate equipment (such as helmet, special clothing and lights) can be used on flat routes. For the more demanding routes, a road bike and special equipment is required.
The Larissa – Nikaia and Larissa – Ampelonas routes are quite easy and have a length of about 20 km. A moderately trained cyclist can ride them in less than two hours, round trip.
The PPC e-bike Festival is implemented in cooperation with the organization “Cities for Bicycle”, member of the European Cyclists Federation and the experienced team of the information portal mbike.gr, with more than 20 years of expertise in the field of cycling. All events are supported by the Municipalities and Local Authorities. All safety measures and the health protocol for Covid-19 are observed at the events.
