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{{Short description|City in Thessaly, Greece}}
{{About|the city in Greece||Larissa (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Greece place
 |name = Larissa
 |name_local = {{native name|el|Λάρισα}}
|type = municipality
|image_skyline =<!-- RECT X beginning (left), Y beginning (top), X end (right), Y end (bottom). -->
<imagemap>
File:Larissa_Montage_L.png|center|275px|alt=Larissa montage. Clicking on an image in the picture causes the browser to load the appropriate article, if it exists.
rect 493 10 988 348 [[Larissa|Central Square with the "Floating River" Fountain]]
rect 415 360 684 695 [[Larissa#Theatres and Odeons|Municipal Theatre OUHL (Thessalian Theatre)]]
rect 696 360 988 695 [[The Holocaust|Holocaust Monument]]
rect 503 707 988 1029 [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos|Saint Achilles Cathedral]]
rect 12 707 490 1029 [[Larissa#Theatres and Odeons|Old Mills of Pappas]]
rect 12 360 403 695 [[Larissa railway station]]
rect 12 10 481 348 [[First Ancient Theatre, Larissa|First Ancient Theatre of Larissa]]
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|caption_skyline = '''Clockwise from top:''' Central Square in downtown Larissa with the "Floating River" fountain, [[Larissa#Theatres and Odeons|Municipal Theatre OUHL (Thessalian Theatre)]], [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] monument, [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos|Saint Achilles Cathedral]], [[Larissa#Theatres and Odeons|Old Mills of Pappas]], [[Larissa railway station]], and the [[First Ancient Theatre, Larissa|First Ancient Theatre of Larissa]].
 |periph = [[Thessaly]]
|periphunit         = [[Larissa (regional unit)|Larissa]]
|pop_municipality   = 164095
|area_municipality  = 335.98
|pop_municunit   = 148562
|area_municunit   = 122.59
|population_as_of = 2021
 |city_flag =
 |city_seal = LARISSA LOGO.jpg
 |elevation = 70
 |coordinates = {{coord|39|38.5|N|22|25|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 |postal_code = 41x xx
 |area_code = (+30)241
 |image_map = 2011 Dimos Larisas.png
 |licence = 
 |mayor = Athanasios Mamakos<ref name=mayor>{{Cite web |url=https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/d/home/en/municipalities/9100/ |title=Municipality of Larissa, Municipal elections{{snd}}October 2023 |publisher=[[Ministry of the Interior (Greece)|Ministry of Interior]] |access-date=2024-01-05 |archive-date=2024-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102143428/https://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/d/home/en/municipalities/9100/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 |since = 2023
 |demonym = Larissean
 |website = [http://www.larissa-dimos.gr www.larissa-dimos.gr]
}}
'''Larissa''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|r|ɪ|s|ə}}; {{langx|el|Λάρισα}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|Lárisa}}, {{IPA|el|ˈlarisa|pron|Larisa - Λάρισα.ogg}}) is the capital and largest city of the [[Thessaly]] region in [[Greece]]. It is the fifth-most populous city in Greece with a population of 148,562 in the city proper, according to the 2021 census.<ref name=census21/> It is also the capital of the [[Larissa (regional unit)|Larissa regional unit]]. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transport hub, linked by road and rail with the port of [[Volos]] and the cities of [[Thessaloniki]] and [[Athens]]. The municipality of Larissa has {{formatnum:164095}} inhabitants, while the regional unit of Larissa has a population of {{formatnum:268963}} ({{As of|2021}}).<ref name=census21/>

Larissa was a [[Polis|city-state]] in [[Greek antiquity]], the ruins of which are among its main tourist attractions. It is also home to a number of [[Roman Empire|Roman]], [[Byzantine]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] buildings, reflecting its long history. Today, Larissa is an important commercial, transportation, educational, agricultural and industrial centre of Greece. The city straddles the [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river and N.-NE. of the city are the [[Mount Olympus]] and [[Mount Ossa (Greece)|Mount Kissavos]].

==Mythology==

According to [[Greek mythology]], it is said that the city was founded by [[Acrisius]], who was killed accidentally by his grandson, [[Perseus]].<ref>[[Stephanus Byzantius]], s.v.</ref> There lived [[Peleus]], the hero beloved by the gods, and his son [[Achilles]].

In mythology, the nymph [[Larissa (mythology)|Larissa]] was a daughter of the primordial man [[Pelasgus]].<ref>Pausanias, 2.24.1</ref>

The city of Larissa is mentioned in Book&nbsp;II of the ''[[Iliad]]'' by [[Homer]]: "Hippothous led the tribes of Pelasgian spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larissa—[[Hippothous]], and [[Pylaeus]] of the race of Mars, two sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus."<ref>Hippothous led the tribes of Pelasgian spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larissa — Hippothous, and Pylaeus of the race of Mars, two sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus.</ref><ref>[http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/iliad.2.ii.html The Internet Classics Archive | The Iliad by Homer]</ref> In this paragraph, Homer shows that the [[Pelasgians]], Trojan allies, used to live in the city of Larissa. This city of Larissa was likely different from the city that was the birthplace of [[Achilles]]. The Larissa that features as a Trojan ally in the ''Iliad'' was likely to be located in the [[Troad]], on the other side of the [[Aegean Sea]].

==History==
[[File:Larissa drachma.jpg|thumb|Silver drachma of Larissa (410-405 BC). Head of the nymph Larissa left, wearing pearl earring, her hair bound in sakkos / ΛΑΡΙΣΑ above, [IA] below (retrograde), bridled horse -symbol of the city- galloping right.]]

===Pre-history===
Traces of [[Paleolithic]] human settlement have been recovered from the area, but it was peripheral to areas of advanced culture.<ref>Curtis Runnels and Tjeerd H. van Andel. "The Lower and Middle Paleolithic of Thessaly, Greece" ''Journal of Field Archaeology'' '''20'''.3 (Autumn 1993:299–317) summarises the survey carried out in June 1991.</ref> The area around Larissa was extremely fruitful; it was agriculturally important and in [[Classical antiquity|antiquity]] was known for its horses.

The name Larissa (Λάρισα ''Lárīsa'') is in origin a [[Pelasgian]] word for "fortress".{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}} There were many ancient Greek cities with this name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2361971 |title=Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon |publisher=Perseus.tufts.edu |access-date=2009-07-08}}</ref>
The name of Thessalian Larissa is first recorded in connection with the aristocratic [[Aleuadae|Aleuadai]] family.<ref>"The city and the plain around it were settled in prehistoric times, and its name must be early, but it is first mentioned in connection with the(Richard Stillwell, William L. MacDonald, Marian Holland McAllister, eds., ''The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites'' (Princeton University Press) 1976, ''s.v.'' "Larissa, or Larisa, or Pelasgis, Thessaly").</ref> It was also a [[polis]] (city-state).<ref name=Poleis>{{cite book|author= Mogens Herman Hansen & Thomas Heine Nielsen |title= An inventory of archaic and classical poleis|url= https://archive.org/details/inventoryarchaic00hans |url-access= limited |year= 2004|publisher= [[Oxford University Press]]|location=New York|isbn= 0-19-814099-1|chapter= Thessaly and Adjacent Regions|pages= [https://archive.org/details/inventoryarchaic00hans/page/n730 714]–715}}</ref>

===Classical Age===
Larissa was a [[polis]] (city-state) during the Classical Era.<ref>{{cite book|author= Mogens Herman Hansen & Thomas Heine Nielsen |title= An inventory of archaic and classical poleis|url= https://archive.org/details/inventoryarchaic00hans |url-access= limited |year= 2004|publisher= [[Oxford University Press]]|location=New York|isbn= 0-19-814099-1|chapter= Thessaly and Adjacent Regions|pages= [https://archive.org/details/inventoryarchaic00hans/page/n711 695]–697}}</ref> Larissa is thought to be where the famous Greek physician [[Hippocrates]] and the famous philosopher [[Gorgias|Gorgias of Leontini]] died.

[[File:THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 370-360 BC.jpg|thumb|left|Coinage of Thessaly, possibly king Hellokrates, with portrait of [[Aleuas]]. ''Obv'': head of Aleuas facing slightly left, wearing conical helmet, ALEU to right; labrys behind. ''Rev'': Eagle standing right, head left, on thunderbolt; ELLA to left, LARISAYA to right. Thessaly, Larissa. {{circa|370–360}}{{nbsp}}BC.]]
When Larissa ceased minting the federal coins it shared with other Thessalian towns and adopted its coinage in the late fifth century BC, it chose local types for its coins. The obverse depicted the nymph of the local spring, Larissa, for whom the town was named; probably the choice was inspired by the famous coins of [[Cimon|Kimon]] depicting the Syracusan nymph [[Arethusa (nymph)|Arethusa]]. The reverse depicted a horse in various poses. The horse was an appropriate symbol of Thessaly, a land of plains, which was well known for its horses. Usually, there is a male figure; he should perhaps be seen as the eponymous hero of the Thessalians, Thessalos, who is probably also to be identified on many of the earlier, federal coins of Thessaly.

[[File:Λάρισα, αρχαίο Θέατρο Α 1.jpg|thumb|The [[First Ancient Theatre, Larissa|first ancient theatre]] of the city. It was constructed inside the ancient city's centre during the reign of [[Antigonus II Gonatas]] towards the end of the third century BC. The theatre was in use for six centuries, until the end of the third century AD.]]
[[File:Το αρχαιο θέατρο της πόλης και ο πεζόδρομος δίπλα του.jpg|thumb|Pedestrian zone beside the First Ancient Greek theatre]]
[[File:Λάρισα, Αρχαίο Θέατρο Β 8.jpg|thumb|Ruins of the [[Second Ancient Theatre, Larissa|second ancient theatre]]]]

Larissa, sometimes written Larisa on ancient coins and inscriptions, is near the site of the Homeric Argissa. It appears in early times, when [[Thessaly]] was mainly governed by a few aristocratic families, as an important city under the rule of the [[Aleuadae]], whose authority extended over the whole district of [[Pelasgiotis]]. This powerful family possessed for many generations before 369 BC the privilege of furnishing the ''Tagus'', the local term for the ''[[strategos]]'' of the combined Thessalian forces. The principal rivals of the Aleuadae were the [[Scopadae]] of [[Krannonas|Crannon]], the remains of which are about 14 miles southwest.

Larissa was the birthplace of [[Menon III of Pharsalus|Meno]], who thus became, along with [[Xenophon]] and a few others, one of the generals leading several thousands of Greeks from various places, in the ill-fated expedition of 401 (retold in Xenophon's ''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'') meant to help [[Cyrus the Younger]], son of [[Darius II]], king of [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]], overthrow his elder brother [[Artaxerxes II of Persia|Artaxerxes II]] and take over the throne of Persia (Meno is featured in [[Plato]]'s dialogue bearing his name, in which [[Socrates]] uses the example of ''"the way to Larissa"'' to help explain to Meno the difference between true [[opinion]] and [[science]] (Meno, 97a–c); this "way to Larissa" might well be on the part of Socrates an attempt to call to Meno's mind a "way home", understood as the way toward one's true and "eternal" home reached only at death, that each man is supposed to seek in his life).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plato-dialogues.org/tools/loc/larissa.htm|title=Larissa|first=Bernard F.|last=Suzanne|work=plato-dialogues.org}}</ref>

The constitution of the town was [[democratic constitution|democratic]], which explains why it sided with [[Classical Athens|Athens]] in the [[Peloponnesian War]]. A festival celebrated near Larissa resembled the Roman [[Saturnalia]], and at which the slaves were waited on by their masters. As the chief city of ancient Thessaly, Larissa was taken by the [[Thebes, Greece|Thebans]] and later directly annexed by [[Philip II of Macedon]] in 344. It remained under Macedonian control afterwards, except for a brief period when [[Demetrius I of Macedon|Demetrius Poliorcetes]] captured it in 302 BC.

It was in Larissa that [[Philip V of Macedon]] signed in 197 BC a treaty with the Romans after his defeat at the [[Battle of Cynoscephalae]], and it was there also that [[Antiochus III the Great]], won a great victory in 192 BC. In 196 BC Larissa became an ally of Rome and was the headquarters of the [[Thessalian League]].

Larissa is frequently mentioned in connection with the [[Roman civil wars]] which preceded the establishment of the [[Roman Empire]] and [[Pompey]] sought refuge there after the defeat of [[Battle of Pharsalus|Pharsalus]].

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Λάρισα, Αρχαιολογικός χώρος φρουρίου, Παλαιοχριστιανική βασιλική Αγίου Αχιλλείου 2.jpg|thumb|Remains of the [[Basilica of St. Achillios]], destroyed during the Ottoman era]]
[[File:Dodwell Larissa.jpg|thumb|left|Gravure of Larissa, c. 1820]]
[[File:Frourio Larissas.JPG|thumb|200px|The archaeological excavations on [[Frourio Hill]], with the [[Bezesten of Larissa]] in the background]]
[[File:Frourio - road.JPG|thumb|200px|A street in the Frourio quarter]]

Larissa was sacked by the [[Ostrogoths]] in the late [[5th century]], and rebuilt under the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Justinian I]].<ref name="ODB">{{ODB | last = Kazhdan | first = Alexander | author-link = Alexander Kazhdan | title = Larissa | page = 1180}}</ref>

In the eighth century, the city became the [[metropolitan see|metropolis]] of the [[theme (Byzantine district)|theme]] of [[Hellas (theme)|Hellas]].<ref name="ODB"/> The city was captured in 986 by Tsar [[Samuel of Bulgaria]], who carried off the relics of its patron saint, [[Achillius of Larissa|Saint Achilleios]], to [[Prespa (medieval town)|Prespa]].<ref name="ODB"/> It was again [[Battle of Larissa|unsuccessfully besieged]] by the [[Italo-Norman]]s under [[Bohemond I of Antioch|Bohemond I]] in 1082/3.<ref name="ODB"/>

After the [[Fourth Crusade]], the [[Kingdom of Thessalonica|King of Thessalonica]], [[Boniface I, Marquess of Montferrat|Boniface of Montferrat]], gave the city to [[Lombardy|Lombard]] [[baron]]s, but they launched a rebellion in 1209 that had to be subdued by the [[Latin Emperor]] [[Henry of Flanders]] himself.<ref name="ODB"/> The city was recovered by [[Despotate of Epirus|Epirus]] soon after.<ref name="ODB"/>

=== Ottoman period ===
Larissa was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1386/87 and again in the 1390s, but only came under permanent Ottoman control in 1423, by [[Turahan Bey]].<ref name="EI2">{{EI2 | title=Yeñi Shehir | last=Savvides | first=A. | volume = 11 | page=333}}</ref> Under the Ottoman rule, the city was known as ''Yeni-şehir i-Fenari'', "new citadel". As the chief town and military base of [[Sanjak of Tirhala|Ottoman Thessaly]], Larissa was a predominantly Muslim city.<ref name="EI2" /> In 1521 ([[Hijri year|Hijri]] 927) the town had 693 Muslim and 75 Christian households;<ref>{{Cite book |last=Minkov |first=Anton |title=Conversion to Islam in the Balkans : Kisve bahası petitions and Ottoman social life, 1670-1730 |date=2004 |isbn=1-4237-1251-X |location=Leiden |publisher=Brill |page=49 |oclc=191947039}}</ref> according to Gökbilgin (1956), it also included [[Albanians|Albanian]] and [[Sephardic Jews|Jewish]] communities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=GÖKBİLGİN |first=M. TAYYİB |date=1956 |title=KANUNÎ SULTAN SÜLEYMAN DEVRİ BAŞLARINDA RUMELİ EYALETİ, LİVALARI, ŞEHİR VE KASABALARI |url=https://belleten.gov.tr/tam-metin-pdf/1214/tur |journal=Belleten |volume=20 |issue=78 |page=278 |issn=0041-4255 |eissn=2791-6472 }}</ref> During Ottoman rule the administration of the [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos|Metropolis of Larissa]] was transferred to nearby [[Trikala]] where it remained until 1734, when Metropolitan Iakovos II returned the see from Trikala to Larissa and established the present-day metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos.

The town was noted for its trade fair in the 17th and 18th centuries, while the seat of the pasha of Thessaly was also transferred there in 1770.<ref name="EI2"/> Larissa was the headquarters of [[Hurshid Pasha|Hursid Pasha]] during the [[Greek War of Independence]]. It was also renowned for its [[mosque]]s, [[medrese]], and [[bedesten]]s. However, many of these buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1882 and others were demolished. Larissa had twenty-seven or twenty-eight mosques in 1880, while at the beginning of twentieth century, probably only nine were still standing. Eight were likely demolished in the twentieth century leaving only the [[Yeni Mosque, Larissa|Yeni Mosque]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Koumaridis |first=Yorgos |date=2006 |title=Urban Transformation and De-Ottomanisation in Greece |url=https://www.academia.edu/45187502/ |journal=East Central Europe |volume=33 |issue=1–2 |pages=217–218}}</ref>

The city remained a part of the Ottoman Empire until [[Thessaly]] [[Convention of Constantinople (1881)|became part]] of the independent [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Kingdom of Greece]] in 1881, except for a period when Ottoman forces re-occupied it during the [[Greco-Turkish War (1897)|Greco-Turkish War of 1897]].<ref name="EI2"/> In the late 19th century, there was still a small village on the outskirts of the town inhabited by Africans from [[Sudan]], a curious remnant of the forces collected by [[Ali Pasha of Ioannina|Ali Pasha]].

In the 19th century, the town produced [[leather]], [[cotton]], [[silk]] and [[tobacco]]. Fevers and agues were prevalent owing to bad drainage and the overflowing of the river; and the death rate was higher than the birth rate.{{Dubious|date=February 2010}}

===Modern Greek era===
[[File:Larissa1910.jpg|thumb|left|Old postcard of the city, Alexandras Street, 1910]]

In 1881, the city, along with the rest of [[Thessaly]], was incorporated into the [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Kingdom of Greece]] during the prime ministry of [[Alexandros Koumoundouros]]. On 31 August 1881, a unit of the Greek Army headed by General [[Skarlatos Soutsos]] entered the city. A considerable portion of the Turkish population emigrated to the Ottoman Empire at that point. In this new era, the city starts gradually to expand and to be rebuilt by the Greek authorities.

[[File:Royal Air Force- Operations Over Albania and in Greece, 1940-1941. CM873.jpg|thumb|200px|A German Messerschmitt which was crash-landed on the military airfield at Larissa, shot down by [[RAF]] pilots during WWII]]

During the [[Greco-Turkish War (1897)|Greco-Turkish War of 1897]], the city was the headquarters of Greek Crown Prince [[Constantine I of Greece|Constantine]]. The flight of the Greek army from here to [[Farsala]] took place on 23 April 1897. Turkish troops entered the city two days later. After a treaty for peace was signed, they withdrew and Larissa remained permanently in Greece. This was followed by a further exodus of Turks in 1898. The Hassan Bey mosque (which was built in the early 16th century) was demolished in 1908.

During the [[Axis Occupation of Greece|Axis Occupation of the country]], the Jewish community of the city (dated back to the 2nd century BC, see [[Romaniote Jews|Romaniotes]]{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}) suffered heavy losses. Today in the city there is a Holocaust memorial and a synagogue.

=== After WWII ===
[[File:Λάρισα κεντρικη πλατεία συντριβανι 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The "floating river" fountain in Central Square of Larissa (Sapka, former Themidos)]]

After WWII the city was expanded rapidly. Today Larissa is the fourth largest Greek city with many squares, taverns and cafes. It has three public hospitals with one being a military hospital. It hosts the [[Hellenic Air Force]] Headquarters and [[NATO]] Headquarters in Greece. It has a School of Medicine and a School of Biochemistry – Biotechnology and the third largest in the country Institute of Technology. It occupies the first place among Greek cities in green coverage rate per square-metre urban space and the first place with the highest percentage of bars-taverns-restaurants per capita in Greece. It also has two public libraries and five museums.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.larissa.gov.gr/el/|title=Δήμος Λαρισαίων - ΔΗΜΟΣ ΛΑΡΙΣΑΣ|website=www.larissa.gov.gr}}</ref>

==Ecclesiastical history==
[[File:Pinios river and church of Agios Achilios.jpg|thumb|[[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river with the church of [[Achillius of Larissa|St. Achillios]] in the background, patron saint of the city]]

Christianity penetrated early to Larissa, though its first bishop was recorded only in 325, at the [[First Council of Nicaea|Council of Nicaea]]. [[Achillius of Larissa|St. Achillius]] of the fourth century is celebrated for his miracles. [[Michel Le Quien|Le Quien]] cites twenty-nine [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos#Known bishops|bishop]]s from the fourth to the 18th centuries;<ref name="Le Quien">{{Oriens Christianus|volume=2|article=Ecclesia Larissæ|at=cols. 103–112}}</ref> the most famous is Jeremias II, who occupied the see until 733 when Emperor [[Leo III the Isaurian]] transferred it from the jurisdiction of the [[Pope of Rome]] to the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Patriarchate of Constantinople]]. In the first years of the tenth century it had ten suffragan sees;<ref>[[Heinrich Gelzer]], "Ungedruckte. . .Texte der Notitiae episcopatuum", Munich, 1900, 557.</ref> subsequently the number increased, and in {{circa|1175}}, under Emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos|Manuel I Comnenus]], it reached twenty-eight.<ref>[[Parthey]], ''[[Hieroclis Synecdemus]]'', Berlin, 1866, 120.</ref> At the close of the 15th century, under Ottoman domination, there were only ten suffragan sees,<ref>Gelzer, op. cit., 635.</ref> which gradually grew less and finally disappeared.

[[File:Larissa Synagogue c.jpg|thumb|200px|Interior of the Jewish [[synagogue]] of Larissa]]
[[File:Public Christmas tree in Larissa.jpg|thumb|Public Christmas tree near St. Achillios]]
Larissa is an [[Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos|Orthodox Metropolis]] of the [[Church of Greece]].

It was also briefly a [[Latin Archbishopric of Larissa|Latin archbishopric]] in the early 13th century, and remains a Latin Metropolitan (top-ranking) [[titular see]] of the Roman Catholic Church, which must not be confused with the Latin episcopal (low-ranking) titular see [[Shaizar|Larissa in Syria]]. Today there is a Catholic church in the city (Sacred Heart of Jesus).

==Sights==

In the area from the Frourio hill to the Central square is located the old part of the city where some of its main landmarks are. Sights of the city are:

* The [[Frourio Hill]] and the adjacent First Ancient Greek Theatre area.
* The [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] river that crosses the city center near the St. Achillios church and the Alkazar Park next to the lush river banks of Pineios river.
* The [[First Ancient Theatre, Larissa|First Ancient Greek Theatre]] of Larissa, built in the 3rd c. BC.
* The [[Second Ancient Theatre, Larissa|Second Ancient Theatre]], built in the 1st c. BC.
* The [[Basilica of St. Achillios]]. Early Byzantine basilica ruins dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Achillios. 
* The church of St. Achillios Cathedral.
* The [[Bezesten of Larissa]]. Built in the 15th c. was an Ottoman enclosed market and also used in the 19th c. as a gunpowder magazine and fort. 
* The [[Yeni Mosque, Larissa|Yeni Mosque]], a rare example of 19th c. mosque built in neoclassical style, now used as a museum.
* The [[Ottoman baths of Larissa|Ottoman Baths]] probably built in the 15th c.
* The Cenotaph monument of Hippocrates, the 4th c. B.C. votive stele dedicated to Poseidon and many other ancient ruins and monuments.
* The [[Diachronic Museum of Larissa]] with finds that cover all history of Larissa since antiquity.
* Historical buildings that have been listed as architecturally preserved, such as the Mill of Pappas, the Cine Palace (architect Colonello), the Charokopos Tower (arch. [[Anastasios Metaxas]], built in 1902, endangered to collapse as of 2022) and the neoclassical complex of the Averofeios Agricultural School (built in 1908).

==Geography==
[[File:Livadi01.jpg|thumb|Plain of Larissa]]
[[File:Kissavos.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Ossa (Greece)|Mount Kissavos]] viewed from [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]] bridge in Larissa]]
[[File:2022-06-30 Canon-T IMG 9569.jpg|thumb|View of the plains of Larissa from the heights of Domokos]]
Larissa is around {{convert|120|km|mi|0}} south-west of [[Thessaloniki]] and around {{convert|210|km|mi|0}} north-west of [[Athens]].

There are a number of highways, including [[European route E75|E75]], [[European route E65|E65]], and the main railway from Athens to Thessaloniki (Salonika) crossing through Thessaly. The region is directly linked to the rest of Europe through the [[International Airport of Central Greece]] located in [[Nea Anchialos]] a short distance from Larissa (about {{cvt|60|km|disp=sqbr}}). Larissa lies on the river [[Pineios (Thessaly)|Pineios]].

The municipality of Larissa has an area of {{cvt|335.98|km2}}, the municipal unit Larissa has an area of {{cvt|122.586|km2}}, and the community Larissa has an area of {{cvt|88.167|km2}}.<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-21 }}</ref>

The city is in close proximity of destinations such as Mount Olympus, Mount Kissavos, Meteora, Lake Plastira, Pilio, etc.

The [[Larissa Chasma]], a deep gash in the surface of [[Dione (moon)|Dione]], a natural satellite of [[Saturn]], was named after Larissa.

===Climate===
The climate of Larissa is cold [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BSk'') with some [[Mediterranean climate]] (''Csa'') characteristics such as the drier summers and the somewhat wetter winters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/mpeel/koppen.html|title=Updated Köppen-Geiger climate map of the world|website=people.eng.unimelb.edu.au|access-date=2019-01-18}}</ref> The winter is cold, and some snowfalls may occur, though few of them are heavy. The summer is particularly hot, and temperatures near or above {{convert|40|°C|0|abbr=on}} typically occur every year for a few days. Thunderstorms during the summer months are sometimes heavy and may cause agricultural damage. Larissa receives about {{convert|413|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rain per year and has an average annual average temperature of {{Convert|15.4|C|F}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.larissa.climatemps.com/precipitation.php|title=Rainfall in Larissa, Greece Average Precipitation and Wet Days|website=www.larissa.climatemps.com}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Larissa (1955–2010, extremes 1955–present)
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| Jan record high C = 22.8
| Feb record high C = 25.2
| Mar record high C = 34.8
| Apr record high C = 33.8
| May record high C = 40.0
| Jun record high C = 44.6
| Jul record high C = 45.5
| Aug record high C = 45.0
| Sep record high C = 41.9
| Oct record high C = 36.8
| Nov record high C = 29.6
| Dec record high C = 23.4
| year record high C = 45.5
| Jan high C = 9.9
| Feb high C = 12.1
| Mar high C = 15.1
| Apr high C = 19.8
| May high C = 25.9
| Jun high C = 31.2
| Jul high C = 33.3
| Aug high C = 32.8
| Sep high C = 28.3
| Oct high C = 22.3
| Nov high C = 15.9
| Dec high C = 11.0
| year high C =
| Jan mean C = 5.3
| Feb mean C = 6.8
| Mar mean C = 9.6
| Apr mean C = 14.0
| May mean C = 19.9
| Jun mean C = 25.3
| Jul mean C = 27.5
| Aug mean C = 26.5
| Sep mean C = 21.9
| Oct mean C = 16.4
| Nov mean C = 10.9
| Dec mean C = 6.5
| year mean C =
| Jan low C = 0.7
| Feb low C = 1.3
| Mar low C = 3.4
| Apr low C = 6.6
| May low C = 11.2
| Jun low C = 15.6
| Jul low C = 18.1
| Aug low C = 17.7
| Sep low C = 14.2
| Oct low C = 10.2
| Nov low C = 5.9
| Dec low C = 2.1
| year low C =
| Jan record low C = -21.6
| Feb record low C = -12.0
| Mar record low C = -7.0
| Apr record low C = -3.4
| May record low C = 1.4
| Jun record low C = 7.2
| Jul record low C = 11.0
| Aug record low C = 10.0
| Sep record low C = 5.0
| Oct record low C = -2.0
| Nov record low C = -7.0
| Dec record low C = -20.4
| year record low C = -21.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 35.2
| Feb precipitation mm = 32.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 37.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 32.1
| May precipitation mm = 38.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 24.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 19.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 14.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 33.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 53.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 53.7
| Dec precipitation mm = 51.5
| year precipitation mm =
| Jan humidity = 79.9
| Feb humidity = 74.8
| Mar humidity = 72.2
| Apr humidity = 68.0
| May humidity = 60.6
| Jun humidity = 48.8
| Jul humidity = 46.2
| Aug humidity = 49.9
| Sep humidity = 59.4
| Oct humidity = 70.4
| Nov humidity = 79.5
| Dec humidity = 82.3
| year humidity =
| Jan precipitation days = 11.9
| Feb precipitation days = 11.8
| Mar precipitation days = 12.7
| Apr precipitation days = 11.1
| May precipitation days = 10.8
| Jun precipitation days = 7.2
| Jul precipitation days = 5.2
| Aug precipitation days = 4.6
| Sep precipitation days = 7.1
| Oct precipitation days = 9.9
| Nov precipitation days = 11.8
| Dec precipitation days = 13.3
| year precipitation days =
| Jan sun = 104.7
| Feb sun = 117.8
| Mar sun = 157.5
| Apr sun = 213.8
| May sun = 266.3
| Jun sun = 307.2
| Jul sun = 337.1
| Aug sun = 320.1
| Sep sun = 247.6
| Oct sun = 171.8
| Nov sun = 126.0
| Dec sun = 101.0
| year sun = 2470.9
| source 1 = Hellenic National Meteorological Service<ref>{{cite web
  | url=http://newportal.hnms.gr/emy/en/climatology/climatology_city?perifereia=Thessaly&poli=Larisa
  | title=Mean Tripolis Climatic Averages
  | publisher=Hellenic National Meteorological Service
  | access-date=7 October 2025
  | date=October 2025}}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA (extremes, sun 1961–1990),<ref name = NOAA>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/GR/16648.TXT
| server = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| title = Larissa Climate Normals 1961–1990
| access-date = 1 March 2015
| date = November 2011}}</ref> Info Climat (extremes 1991-present)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/larissa-airport/valeurs/16648.html | title=Normales et records climatologiques 1991–2020 à Larissa Airport – Infoclimat }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/2001-2030/larissa-airport/valeurs/16648.html | title=Normales et records climatologiques 2001–2030 à Larissa Airport – Infoclimat }}</ref>
}}

==Administration==
The municipality Larissa was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:<ref name=Kallikratis>{{Cite web|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGYK2xFpSwMnXdtvSoClrL8-SrPzKAEPjjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FIukI0UzcPsWCK0LpLhpa7rhiWB4R5ntTnoWw7U8E1Amg.|title=ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text|language=el|publisher=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette]]}}</ref>
*[[Giannouli]]
*[[Koilada]]
*Larissa

=== Districts ===
The municipal unit of Larissa is divided into four city-districts or municipal communities (29 city areas) plus 2 suburban communities (Amphithea and Koulourion). The municipality includes also the Community of Terpsithèa (with the suburban community of Argyssa).

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
1st Municipal District
(pop. 26,035)
# Papastàvrou
# Saint Athanàsios
# Alkazàr
# Hippocrates-Pèra
# Potamòpolis
# Philippòpolis
# Livadàki
# Saint Thomas
# Saint Paraskevi-Mezourlo
# Neàpolis

2nd Municipal District
(pop. 41,816)
# Saint Achellios
# Saint Nikòlaos
# Ambelòkipoi
# Saints Sarànta
# Saint Konstantinos
# Stathmòs

3rd Municipal District
(pop. 30,121)
# Lachanòkipoi
# Nèa Smyrne-Kamynia
# Kalyvia-Saint Marina
# Saint Geòrgios
# Anatoli
# Koulouri
# Amphithèa

4th Municipal District
(pop. 26,814)
# Charavgi-Toumba-OKE
# Pyrovolikà-Pharos
# Avèrof-Sèkfo
# Nèa Politia
# Epiròtika
# Anthoupolis
# Neràida
# Kàmpos

Community of Terpsithèa
(pop. 1,290)
# Terpsithèa
# Argyssa
{{div col end}}

From 1 January 2011, in accordance with the [[Kallikratis Plan]] (new administrative division of Greece), the new municipality of Larissa includes also the former municipalities of [[Giannouli]] and [[Koilada]].

===Province===
The province of Larissa ({{langx|el|Επαρχία Λάρισας}}) was one of the [[provinces of Greece|provinces]] of the Larissa Prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of the current municipalities Larissa (except the municipal unit [[Giannouli]]) and [[Tempi (municipality)|Tempi]] (except the municipal units [[Gonnoi]] and [[Kato Olympos]]).<ref name="census91">{{cite web |title=Detailed census results 1991 |url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00086.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183824/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00086.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03}}&nbsp;{{small|(39&nbsp;MB)}} {{in lang|el|fr}}</ref> It was abolished in 2006.

=== Main streets ===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* Anthimou Gazi
* Kouma
* Roosevelt
* 31 August
* Karamanli Avenue
* Koumoundourou
* Mandilara
* Rizopoulou
* Papanastasiou
* Venizelou (former Makedonias)
* Kiprou (Alexandras)
* Polykarpou
{{col-2}}
* Asclepiou 
* Iroon Polytechniou Avenue
* Lambraki
* Thetidos
* Korai
* Ipsilantou
* Tsimiski
* Sklirou
* Panagouli
* Ioanninon
* Kolokotroni
* Manolaki
* Nikitara
* Volou Avenue
{{col-end}}

=== List of mayors ===
The mayors of Larissa from 1881 to 2023 were as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2019 |title=Οι δήμαρχοι της Λάρισας από το 1881 μέχρι σήμερα |url=https://www.eleftheria.gr/m/%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B9%CE%B5%CF%81%CF%8E%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1/item/232971-%CE%BF%CE%B9-%CE%B4%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CE%B9-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%BB%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%B1%CF%82-%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C-%CF%84%CE%BF-1881-%CE%BC%CE%AD%CF%87%CF%81%CE%B9-%CF%83%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B1.html }}</ref>{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* Hasan Etem Aga (1881–1882)
* Argyrios Didikas
* Christos Georgiadis
* Dionysios Galatis
* Achilleas Asteriadis
* Achilleas Logiotatou
* Konstantinos Anastasiadis
* Konstantinos Markidis
* Vasileios Sylivridis
* Anastasios Zarmanis
* [[Michail Sapkas]] (1914–1917, 1925–1934)
* Konstantinos Vlachos
* Christos Koutsoubas
* Dimitris Papageorgiou
{{col-2}}
* Vasileios Arsenidis
* Stylianos Asteriadis
* Nikolaos Tzavellas
* Dimitrios Karathanos
* Sotirios Zazias
* Dimitrios Hatzigiannis
* Athanasios Messinis
* Stylianos Zografidis
* Agamemnon Blanas (1975–1978)
* Alexandros Chondronasios (1978–1980)
* Aristeides Labroulis (1980–1994)
* Christodoulos Kafes (1994–1998)
* [[:el:Κωνσταντίνος Τζανακούλης|Konstantinos Tzanakoulis]] (1998–2014)
* [[:el:Απόστολος Καλογιάννης|Apostolos Kalogiannis]] (2014–2023)
* {{ill|Athanasios Mamakos|el|Θανάσης Μαμάκος}} (2024–present){{col-end}}

== Economy ==
Larissa is a major [[Agriculture in Greece|agricultural center of Greece]], due to the [[plain of Thessaly]].

In manufacturing sector, Larissa is among others home to [[Biokarpet]] carpet company (whose owners were also major shareholders of [[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL FC]] in the past) and [[Orient Bikes]].

It comes also in first place with the highest percentage of bars-taverns-restaurants per capita in Greece. [[Mikel Coffee Company]] and [[Bruno Coffee Stores]] chains started and have also their base in the city.

==Culture==
[[File:Конят е символ на Лариса. Изработена е през 1994г. от склуптура Милто Папастергиу.jpg|thumb|200px|A horse statue]]
[[File:Alkazar Park (lake) - Larisa.JPG|thumb|200px|Alcazar park]]
[[File:Thessalian Theatre - Larissa.JPG|thumb|200px|The ''Thessalian Theatre'' (under construction)]]
[[File:Frourio Larissa.jpg|thumb|New Year's Eve concert at Frourio Hill]]

===Theatres and Odeons===
*Municipal Conservatory of Larissa<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/new/index.asp?pid=3&sub=3|title=Municipal Odeon of Larissa|access-date=2012-02-28|archive-date=2012-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329092419/http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/new/index.asp?pid=3&sub=3|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Pappas's Mile Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nea-acropoli-larisas.gr/larisamylospappa|title=Ο Μύλος του Παππά|date=17 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917175417/http://www.nea-acropoli-larisas.gr/larisamylospappa|archive-date=2013-09-17}}</ref>
*Municipal Theatre OUHL of Larissa<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thessaliko-theatre.gr/|title=Θεσσαλικό Θέατρο|website=Θεσσαλικό Θέατρο}}</ref> (Thessalian Theatre)
*Hatzigianeio Cultural Centre
*Tiritomba Shadows Theatre

===Cuisine===
[[File:Λάρισα - μύλος Παππά-01.jpg|thumb|200px|Old Mills of Pappas]]

Local specialities:

*''Batzina'' (Μπατζίνα) pie baked in the oven
*''Kelaidi'' (Κελαηδί)
*''Pita'' (Πίτα, traditional pies with pasta phyllo, baked in the oven) like ''Kreatopita'', ''Loukanikopita'', ''Melintzanopita'', ''[[Tiropita|Tyropita]]'', ''Spanakopita''
*''Plastós'' (Πλαστός) pie
*''Lahanópsomo'' (Λαχανόψωμο) cabbage bread
*''[[Halva]]s'' (Χαλβάς) sweet

===Museums===
*Diachronic Museum of Larissa / Archaeological and Byzantine Myseum of Larissa<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3452|title=Ministry of Culture and Sports &#124; Diachronic Museum of Larissa|website=odysseus.culture.gr}}</ref>
*Municipal Gallery of Larissa – G.I. Katsigras Museum<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/larissa/npdd/pinako.shtm|title=Δήμος Λαρισαίων|date=2 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202093010/http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/larissa/npdd/pinako.shtm|archive-date=2008-02-02}}</ref>
*Folklore and Historical Museum of Larissa<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/larissa/city/laografiko_mouseio.shtm|title=Δήμος Λαρισαίων|date=17 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117122916/http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/larissa/city/laografiko_mouseio.shtm|archive-date=2008-01-17}}</ref>
*Military Veterinary Museum of Larissa
*Museum of the Folklore Society of Larissa
*Museum of Grain and Flours

===Media===
*TV: [[Thessalian Radio Television]] (TRT), Astra TV, ForMedia TV
*Press: ''Eleftheria, Politia Larisseon (newspaper)''

===Festivals===
Among the notable festivals that the city hosts, is the "Pineiou Festival" (mainly music), "Mill of Performing Arts" and "AgroThessaly", a major agricultural fair.

===Organizations===
*[[Panhellenic Federation of Cultural Associations of Vlachs]]

===In popular culture===
*A notable film of the [[Greek cinema]] partially shot in the area of Larissa and referred to the history of the region is ''[[Blood on the Land]]'' (1966) by [[Vasilis Georgiadis]].

==Transport==
<!--LINKED SECTION-->
Larissa sits in the middle of the plain of [[Thessaly]], with connections to the [[A1 motorway (Greece)|A1 motorway]] and national roads [[Greek National Road 3|EO3]] and [[Greek National Road 6|EO6]].
*Larissa's Urban Bus System
*Larissa's Interurban System (Ktel Larissas)
*[[Larissa railway station|Larissa Central Railway Station]] Station at {{Coord|39|37|46|N|22|25|22.2|E|type:railwaystation_region:GR|name=Larissa Central Railway Station}}
*Mezourlo Freight Railway station at {{Coord|39|37|08|N|22|24|30|E|type:railwaystation_region:GR|name=Mezourlo Freight Railway station}}
*[[Larissa National Airport]] (military)

==Sports==

[[File:Larissa Alkazar.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Alcazar Stadium]]]]
The local [[association football|football]] club [[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL FC]] currently participates in [[Super League Greece]]. The team won the Greek Championship, in 1988, and won the [[Greek Cup]] in 1985 and 2007. These titles place AEL among the five most important football clubs in Greece.

Two other professional football clubs with long histories also represent the city: [[Apollon Larissa F.C.|Apollon]] and [[Iraklis Larissa|Iraklis]].

AEL has hosted its home games at the [[AEL FC Arena]], a [[UEFA]] 3-star-rated football ground, since November 2010. Other important sport venues are the ''National Sport Center of Larissa'' (EAK Larissas), which includes the [[Alcazar Stadium]] and the [[Larissa Neapolis Indoor Arena|Neapoli Indoor Hall]].

The National Sports Center of Larissa can accommodate a number of sports and events (football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, boxing, martial arts, handball, water polo, etc.), while the Sports Hall has hosted important athletic events (the [[1995 FIBA Under-19 World Cup]], the [[1996–97 EuroLeague Women|1997 Women's EuroLeague Final Four]], the 2003 [[Greek Basketball Cup]] Final Four, martial arts events, etc.), and it is also used for cultural events, such as dance festivals.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Notable sport clubs based in Larissa
|-
!width="150"|Club
!Sports
!Founded
!Achievements
|-
|[[Apollon Larissa F.C.|Apollon Larissa]]||[[Association football|Football]]||1930||Presence in [[Super League Greece 2|Super League 2]]
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Athletic Union of Larissa 1964|A.E.L. (Athletic Union of Larissa)]]||[[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|Football]]||1964||Winner of [[Super League Greece]] and [[Greek Cup]]
|-
|[[AEL 1964 B.C.|Basketball]]||2006||Previous presence in [[Greek Basket League]]
|-
|[[EA Larissa]]||[[Volleyball]]||1968||Previous presence in [[A1 Ethniki Volleyball|Greek Volleyball League]]
|-
|[[Iraklis Larissa]]||[[Association football|Football]]||1930/1982 (refoundation)||Presence in [[Super League Greece 2|Super League 2]]
|-
|[[G.S. Olympia Larissa B.C.|Olympia Larissa]]|| [[Basketball]]||1979||Previous presence in [[Greek Basket League]]
|-
|[[Larisa BC|Larisa]]|| [[Basketball]]||1984||Presence in [[Greek Basket League]]
|-
|[[Gymnastikos S. Larissas BC|Gymnastikos S. Larissas]]|| [[Basketball]]||1928||Previous in [[Greek Basket League]]
|-
|[[Filathlitikos Larissaikos Syllogos]]|| [[Volleyball]]||1990||Previous presence in [[A1 Ethniki Women's Volleyball|Greek Women's Volleyball League]]
|}

==Historical population==
The population of Larissa at different times was as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=ΕΕΤΑΑ-Διοικητικές Μεταβολές των ΟΤΑ |url=https://www.eetaa.gr/eetaa/metaboles/apografes.html}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable
! Year !! Municipal Unit !! Municipality
|-
| 1940 || 32,686 || 35344
|-
| 1951 || 41,016 || -
|-
| 1961 || 56,010 || -
|-
| 1971 || 72,336|| -
|-
| 1981 || 102,426 || -
|-
| 1991 || 113,090 || 129,429
|-
| 2001 || 131,095 || 145,981
|-
| 2011 || 146,926 || 162,591
|-
| 2021 || 148,562 || 164,095
|}

==Notable people==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2023}}
[[File:Hippocrateslarissa.jpg|thumb|200px|A statue of [[Hippocrates]] in the cenotaph monument (sculptor [[:el:Γεώργιος Καλακαλλάς|Georgios Kalakalas]])]]
[[File:Hosios Loukas (diakonikon, arch) - Achillios.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Achillius of Larissa]]]]
[[File:Tsokos - Theoklitos Farmakidis.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Theoklitos Farmakidis]]]]
[[File:Vasileios Spanoulis cropped close.jpg|thumb|right|140px|[[Vassilis Spanoulis]]]]

===Ancient===
*[[Campaspe]], mistress of Alexander the Great
*[[Achilles]] (mythology)
*[[Gorgias|Gorgias of Leontinoi]] (483 BC–375 BC), sophist. He worked and died in Larissa.
*[[Hippocrates|Hippocrates of Kos]] (460 BC–370 BC), physician. He worked and died in Larissa.
*[[Medius of Larissa|Medius]] (4th century BC), officer of Alexander the Great
*[[Philinna]] (4th century BC), dancer, mother of [[Philip III of Macedon|Philip III Arrhidaeus]]
*[[Philo of Larissa|Philo]] (1st century BC), philosopher
*[[Hegesaratus]] (c. 48 BC), political leader<ref>{{cite DGRBM|URL=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DH%3Aentry+group%3D4%3Aentry%3Dhegesaratus-bio-1|title=Hegesaratus}}</ref>
*[[Heliodorus of Larissa]], mathematician
*[[Achillius of Larissa]] (270–330), first bishop and patron saint of the city

===Medieval===
*[[Irene of Larissa]], empress consort of Bulgaria
*[[Agatha (wife of Samuel of Bulgaria)|Agatha]], wife of Samuel of Bulgaria
*[[Nikoulitzas Delphinas]], Byzantine lord of Larissa

===Modern===
*[[Alexander Helladius]], scholar
*[[Giorgakis Olympios]] (1772–1821), commander of the [[Greek War of Independence]]
*[[Theoklitos Farmakidis]] (1784–1860), scholar, figure of the [[Modern Greek Enlightenment]]
*[[Moshe Pesach]] (1869–1955), rabbi
*[[Michail Sapkas]], mayor of Larissa and MP
*[[Achilleas Protosyngelos]], Army officer
*[[M. Karagatsis]] (1908–1960), novelist and journalist
*[[Sofia Vembo]] (1910–1978), singer and actress
*[[Eleni Zafeiriou]] (1916–2004), actress
*[[Antonis Vratsanos]] (1919–2008), resistance figure during WWII
*[[Kostas Gousgounis]] (1931–2022), pornographic actor
*[[Athena Tacha]] (1936–), artist
*[[Efthymios Christodoulou]] (1932–), economist
*[[Georgios Souflias]] (1941–), politician
*[[Angela Kokkola]], politician
*[[Petros Efthymiou|Petros Efthimiou]] (1950–), politician
*[[Lakis Lazopoulos]] (1956–), actor, comedian, script author and director
*[[Thanasis Papakonstantinou]] (1959–), poet, songwriter, singer and musician
*[[Georgios Mitsibonas]] (1962–1997), footballer
*[[Maria Papayanni]] (1964–), writer
*[[Vassilis Karapialis]] (1965–), footballer
*[[Christos Papoutsis]], politician
*[[Maria Spyraki]], politician
*[[Ekaterini Voggoli]] (1970–), discus thrower
*[[Alexis Georgoulis]] (1974–), actor
*[[Kostas Chalkias]] (1974–), footballer
*[[Giannis Goumas|Yannis Goumas]] (1975–), footballer
*[[Dimos Dikoudis|Dimosthenis Dikoudis]] (1977–), basketball player
*[[Nestoras Kommatos]] (1977–), basketball player
*[[Fani Chalkia|Fani Halkia]] (1979–), hurdler
*[[Dimitrios Spanoulis|Dimitris Spanoulis]] (1979–), basketball player
*[[Theofanis Gekas]] (1980–), footballer
*[[Vangelis Moras]] (1981–), footballer
*[[Vassilis Spanoulis]] (1982–), basketball player
*[[Georgios Tsiaras|Giorgos Tsiaras]] (1982–), basketball player
*[[Vasilios Koutsianikoulis]] (1988–), footballer
*[[Haido Alexouli]] (1991–), long jumper
*[[Chrysoula Anagnostopoulou]] (1991–), discus thrower
*[[Vasileia Zachou]] (1994–), gymnast

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece}}
Larissa is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Αδελφοποιημένες Πόλεις|url=http://www.larissa-dimos.gr/el/o-dimos/adelfopoiimenes-poleis|website=larissa-dimos.gr|publisher=Larissa|language=el|access-date=2021-04-02}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Anapa]], Russia (2016)
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Bălți]], Moldova (1986)
*{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Banská Bystrica]], Slovakia (1985)
<!--Chemnitz - twinning ended-->
*{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Foča]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (1994)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], United States (1996)
*{{flagicon|GRC}} [[Kos]], Greece (1978)
*{{flagicon|CYP}} [[Larnaca]], Cyprus (1990)
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Rybnik]], Poland (2003)
*{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Stara Zagora]], Bulgaria (1985)
{{div col end}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Larissa1920.jpg|Central square (Themidos), 1920
File:Λάρισα κεντρικη πλατεία προτομη Κουμουνδούρου 1.jpg|A bust of [[Alexandros Koumoundouros|Koumoundouros]] in central square
File:Oldlarissa.jpg|View of the city in the 1940s
File:Oldlarissasquare.jpg|Tachidromiou Square in 1950s
File:Исторически паметник в чест на загиналите в Балканската война, Лариса, Гърция.jpg|War memorial
File:Larissa Holocaust memorial.jpg|Holocaust memorial
File:Larisa%2C_Greece_-_City_with_snow_in_winter_2.jpg|City with snow in winter
File:20111009_Yeni_Tzami_former_seat_of_the_Archeological_Museum_Larissa_Thessaly_Greece.jpg|Yeni Tzami, the former seat of the Archeological Museum of Larissa
File:ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΣΙΔΗΡ. ΣΤΑΘΜΟΥ - panoramio.jpg|Rail Station Square
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Ampelakia, Larissa]]
*[[Vale of Tempe]]
*[[University of Thessaly]]
*[[CERETETH]], Center of Technology Thessaly

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Larissa}}
{{wikivoyage|Larissa}}
*{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Larissa |volume=16 |page=217 |short=x}}
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09004b.htm Source]
*[http://www.larissa-dimos.gr Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010925061922/http://www.thessalia.gr/ Region of Thessaly Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090226222705/http://www.volosairport.gr/ International airport of Central Greece]
*[http://www.larissaonweb.gr Larissa on Web] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319002747/http://www.larissaonweb.gr/ |date=2011-03-19 }}
*[http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/larissa Larissa] The Official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation
*[http://www.northgreecephotos.com/gallery/78/Larissa Larissa Photos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509113424/http://www.northgreecephotos.com/gallery/78/Larissa |date=2015-05-09 }}

{{Kallikratis-Thessaly}}
{{Larissa div}}
{{Capitals of Peripheries of Greece}}
{{Prefectures and provinces of Greece}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Larissa| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Thessaly]]
[[Category:Greek regional capitals]]
[[Category:Provinces of Greece]]
[[Category:Pelasgian words]]
[[Category:Pelasgiotis]]
[[Category:Populated places in ancient Thessaly]]
[[Category:Cities in ancient Greece]]
[[Category:Thessalian city-states]]
[[Category:Populated places in Larissa (regional unit)]]