HISTORY
DESCRIPTION
INFORMATION
 
 
The remains of the ancient settlement lie on the top and west side of Kastri hill. A powerful fortification wall, whose course can easily be traced through the dense vegetation, surrounded the settlement. The wall was built of semi-processed stones in irregular polygonal masonry and had a small gate with pilars and a threshold on its northwest section. A little lower, on a plateau on the hill's west slope, is a small section of the Hellenistic fortification wall.

A fortified enclosure at the very top of the hill, northeast of the church of Agios Nicolaos, probably served as an observation post or as garrison quarters. Its wall is built of coarsely hewn stones in irregular polygonal masonry. It has buttresses at regular intervals and a gateway with threshold (the mortises for the wooden door are still in place) in its south side. A stone bearing the votive inscription [P]YLIOIO (door), which undoubtedly relates to the gate and may have been an offering to Hermes Pylios (Hermes of the Gate), was found at this exact location. The discovery of a pedestal inscribed NYMPHON ACHELOIOU indicates that a temple dedicated to Acheloos existed nearby; the pedestal belonged to a bronze statue, now lost.

Remains of buildings of the Classical and Hellenistic periods are visible on the hill's west slope. Because of the sloping terrain these buildings were constructed on terraces supported by retaining walls. Two rectangular stone-built constructions in Sector I have been identified as cisterns of the Classical period. An oval metallurgy furnace built of tiles and slate plaques was uncovered in Sector III. No architectural remains of the Neolithic settlement on the south side of the hill survive, only surface finds, mostly pottery sherds.
Author
A. Chatzidemetriou, archaeologist
Dr D. Mylonas, archaeologist