Thermopylae: the...steamy side of Greek history!

The temperature was a little cold today, so we decided to go to Thermopylae to enjoy a nice hot bath in the river here. Thermopylae is famous throughout the world for the battle between Xerxes' Persian army of 300,000 and King Leonidas' Spartan army of 300. This 3 day battle became even more famous after the new block buster hit movie "300." What many people do not know is that the river running through Thermopylae is fed by thermal hot springs. 

Thermopylae actually means hot gates in Greek. Being a lover not a fighter, it's the hot springs that bring me here. This is a very romantic place to spend some time with your partner, or a nice place to stop for a relaxing break on the drive up the national highway. It sits roughly one third of the way between Athens and Thessaloniki on the Aegean coastline. In this area the steep mountains drop dramatically into the ocean making for some spectacular views. 

Sadly a large series of power lines runs very close to the monument of the Battle of Thermopylae which is across the road from the bathing areas. Unfortunately power lines are a blight on the landscape throughout much of Greece, with little thought for its historical and archeological jewels. Nowhere is this more apparent than here in Central Greece, where poor Mount Olympus seems firmly bound in these ugly reminders of the modern world. While photographing, you often find yourself trying to find an angle that does not include them. 

Getting back to the hot baths, you have a choice of going to an official spa or simply go down to a place along the river. The spa has the hot water contained in pools inside buildings with the amenities usually found in health spas. The rates here are quite reasonable and the spa is rarely over-crowded, so it makes for a pleasant way to spoil yourself for an afternoon. Personally i prefer to go "au natural" in the river, but that's just how i roll.

Aunt Toula soaking her sore feet in the healing waters.

Above the whirlpool.

I never want to leave...

It's a dog's life...at the thermal springs!

Wonderful steam rising from the river!

The old road to Sparta...the path through the pass in the past...

  King Leonidas: Μολὼν λαβέ! ~ Persians! Come and get it!