Livadia, the capital of the prefecture, is built between two hills on the sides of a gorge through which the springs of Erkina flow and the distance from Athens is 135 km.
On the top of one of the hills, Profitis Ilias, there is a well-preserved 14th century medieval castle.
In ancient times Livadia was known under the name of Mideia and was the site of the famous Oracle of Zeus Trofonios. Scholars have identified the location of the sanctuary of Zeus and the Oracle as being on Profitis Ilias. Livadia is very fertile thanks to the abundant water in the region and the two springs known in mythology as Lethe (Forgetfulness) and Mnemosyne (Memory), in the north of the town at the site of Kria.
Easter here is celebrated with particular colour. The whole town becomes an open-air barbecue and everywhere spitted lamb, "kokoretsi" and "splinandero" (tasty kebabs made of the innards), and local red wine, are served to one and all. Musical instruments, folk dances and all-night revels complete the traditional Easter festivities at Livadia.
