Category Archives: ancient Greek sites

Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

21 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Ancient Aipy, ancient Greek sites, Ancient Tipaneai

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Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

(37.57 km – approx. 45 mins from Katakolon)

The remains of the ancient city (Tipaneai or Aipy) are located on a hill of the Lapitha Mountain, South of the village called Platiana (district of Olympia). This fortified, oblong city (max length: 600m, width: 200 m) is surrounded my walls, which probably date to the 4th or 3rd century BC and are preserved in quite good condition (reaching 5m in height in some places). Three large gates are set in the North-West, South-West and East side of the walls-the latter being the main gate. There are also several square or trapezoidal defensive towers. The walls are built of large blocks in polygonal masonry.

ancient Tipaneai or ancient Aipy

Ancient Platiana

One of the terraces is occupied by the theatre, whose stage-building and cavea are partially preserved. On the other terraces one can see: a) the “Acropolis”, b) the “Agora” with a large cistern carved in the natural limestone rock, c) the retaining wall of the “Temple”. In the East part of the city are the foundations of several different buildings, which may be houses of distinguished persons of the city.

plan ancient platiana

General plan

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.

Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

(38.15 km – approx. 35 mins from Katakolon)

 

The acropolis of ancient Samia (Kato Samiko) is probably located on the westernmost offshoot of the Eleian mountain Minthe, called Lapitha. The acropolis was founded at the end of the 5th century BC and was inhabited until the Roman period. During the 2nd century AD, the traveler Pausanias saw it destroyed.

Kato Samiko

The acropolis of ancient Samia

Its walls, which have the form of an irregular trapezium and constitute a typical example of pseudo-polygonal masonry, have a length of 1500 metres. Four small gates are set in the walls, while large rectangular towers are located on their outer side (max. preserved height: approx. 5m).

The remains of many buildings can be found inside the acropolis. In recent times a large oblong construction, whose roof was supported by columns, has been discovered. This was probably a public building. There are also several large cisterns for water supply.

This site is considered as one of the most important cities of ancient Triphylia. Samia occupied an important strategic position because it controlled the narrow coastal passage from Eleia towards Triphylia and Messenia. It took actively part in the struggle of the Triphylian cities for independence from the domination of the Eleians. In 244 BC, however, the Aitolian Polysperchon occupied the city and used it as a base of operations, in order to separate the Triphylian cities from the Arcadians and to concede them to his allies, the Eleians.

Kato Samiko

Ancient Samia

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Atiquities.