Beautiful Xironomi is 15 minutes away from Thisvi and is located in a verdant valley among vineyards and olive trees between Helicon and the Corinthian Gulf, 400m above sea level.

It is a green village with almond, vine, mulberry and lilac trees, which is crossed by a small river that in winter flows down to the northern end of the village. The olive oil and wine of Xironomi are among the finest in the region.

According to Pausanias, who visited the area, the settlement Donakon was located somewhere between Tatzas and Xironomi. In ancient times near the settlement there were ponding waters, which were surrounded by reeds, that is “donakes” in ancient Greek, hence the name of the area.

In the settlement of Xironomi, remains of a church of the first half of the 10th century AD were found in a typical architectural type for the era (transitional church with a dome), built on pre-existing building of the Early Byzantine period. In the area around the church, part of a small cemetery of a hitherto unknown Byzantine settlement was discovered.

The excavation findings show that the cemetery was in use from the 10th to the 12th century, the mosaic found on the eastern outskirts of Xironomi, the “holes” in the location “Honi”, the trapdoor in the area of the Primary School, and the “Tower”, i.e. the ruins of a building made of chipped boulders surrounded by the remains of buildings and located between Xironomi and Alyki, lead us to think that the settlement Donakon was located where Xironomiis today.

It is also mentioned that the mythical Narcissus, son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope, drowned in the stagnant waters of this settlement or in a nearby “river” which was also called Donakon. This place has a peaceful aura and is ideal for nature lovers and hikers.

Ancient settlement Donakon, near the community of Xironomi, there are preserved buildings made of boulders, inscriptions, carved stones and a mosaic which is kept in the Museum of Thiva.

Ancient Siphae or Tipha – Alyki

Not far from Xironomi lies the coastal settlement of Alyki and the archaeological site of Siphae. Ceramic works of various periods of prehistoric and historical periods have been found in the area. The fortification wall (4th century BC) is in good condition. 6 towers and 3 gates (the main one is near the beach) are also preserved. Ancient Siphae or Tipha (Alyki) was also an ancient port where Argo, the ship of the Argonaut expedition, was constructed.

According to Pausanias, who visited the area, the settlement Donakon was located somewhere between Tatzas and Xironomi. In ancient times near the settlement there were ponding waters, which were surrounded by reeds, that is “donakes” in ancient Greek, hence the name of the area.