Karla, Greece

Infobox Greek Dimos
name = Karla
name_local = Καρλα


caption_skyline =
periph = Thessaly
prefec = Magnesia
population = 5.531
population_as_of = 2001
area = 2.591
elevation_min = 0
elevation_max = 5
lat_deg = 39
lat_min = 23
lon_deg = 22
lon_min = 56
postal_code = 38x xx
area_code = 24280
licence = ΒΟ
mayor =
since =
districts =
website = [http://www.dimoskarlas.gr/arxiki.asp www.dimoskarlas.gr]

Karla (Κάρλα) is a municipality in the Magnesia prefecture, Greece. It is an agricultural area producing cereals, cotton and vegetables (28 kilometres away from Volos). Principal town is Stefanovikio. The first name of Lake Karla was Voivis. This shows that it was dedicated to the sun and the goddess of Light Phivi who was Lito's mother.Lito was the mother of Apollo who also had the name Phivos which means the sun.

In the Middle Ages the name changed to Karla after the Lake Karla. The draining of the lake begun in 1956 and was completed in 1962. The lake was just outside Kanalia, where according to Greek mythology, Apollon fell in love with Koronida. Asklipios, the first famous Greek doctor, was the outcome of this relationship.

The old town of Karla which led its name to the lake, was in fact where the modern village of Kanalia is today. Today Lake Karla is in the process of being reconstructed and in a few years, the area is expected to be developed, as an area of interest for tourists.

The village of Kanalia is located 26 kilometres from Volos and at a height of 80 metres above the sea level. It is one of the prettiest on the north-west side of Pelion. It is built on the foundation of the Acropolis Voivis in the plains of Metochi. On the hill above the village one can see the remains of the walls of ancient Voivis as well as the ruins of three forts that protected the road. Kanalia, Kapourna and Kerasia make up the first municipality of Voivis in Volos. The church of Saint Nicolas (11th century), can be found in the area. Visitors to the area enjoy the plethora of almond trees when they are in blossom, they can even attend the celebration of the blossoming almond trees. Rizomylos is considered to be a village that has suffered a lot as many of the inhabitants were killed during the World War II and the German occupation. Carnival celebrations take place in the villages of Rizomylos and Stefanovikio.

Ano and Kato kerasia are well-known for their stone arched backed bridges as well as their customs.

The population of the municipality is 5,531 according to the census (2001).

External links

* [http://www.dimoskarlas.gr/arxiki.asp karla]
* [http://www.magnesia.gr/%CE%91.%CE%9F.%CE%9D.%CE%91.%CE%9C/%CE%94%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%82%20%CE%9A%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%82.htm Sport]