The Valley of Tempi

The Valley of Tempi is a valley in Thessaly that stretches between Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa. The valley is 10 kilometers long, and at its narrowest point, it forms a gorge with a width of 25 meters and a depth of about 500 meters. The Pineios River flows through the valley, eventually emptying into the Aegean Sea. The Valley of Tempi has been an important passageway from Macedonia to Thessaly, which is why the area has held great significance since ancient times. The name "Tempi" has been preserved since antiquity. During the Ottoman period, the valley was also known as Baba, a name given to the area by Hasan Baba. This name was also used for the small village at the entrance to the valley, which is now called Tempi. At the western entrance of the valley, the Hasan Baba Tekke is still preserved. The tekke was established by a group of Bektashi dervishes and includes the mausoleum of Hasan Baba, which contains the tomb of the founder. It dates back to the late 14th - early 15th century. Finally, very close to the exit of the valley, there is a spring known from ancient times as the "Spring of Dafni." Pictured: The Valley of Tempi in Thessaly, 1884.

©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.