GREECE EPIRUS THESPROTIA ELINA

About 5 km southwest of Perdika, south of Karavostasi beach, rises a hill known as Dymokastro with ancient remains of a coastal fortified settlement. Nicholas Hammond identified it already in 1945 as ancient Elina, but rescue excavations began only in 2000 and works continued until 2008. Elina is mentioned in a lead inscription from Dodona, its name being derived from the thesprotian tribe Elinoi.

On the northern side of the hill a steep, seemingly endless path (also partly to be seen on the photograph above left) leads up to the relatively flat, oblong plateau (highest altitude 226 m). There the city of Elina was founded in the late 4th century BC, i.e. during the late Classical period, at the same time with other major ancient settlements of Thesprotia like Gitana and Elea. It flourished especially in the Hellenistic era, when the population of the city reached some 6.000 residents.

Below: Stunning views to the beach of Karavostasi and the islands near Syvota as the path winds up to the top.

On the top of the hill, three citadels (conventionally called A, B and C) occupy an area of 22 ha, in the North and East surrounded by defensive walls with a total length of 3400 m. Especially the western side of the hill consists of sheer cliffs so that a fortification there was only necessary in a few places. The impressive wall, built of local limestone, was constructed in polygonal masonry and in its best preserved parts still reaches a height of 4 m, while its width ranges between 2 and 4 m.

Above right: Walls of citadel C, occupying the steeply sloping western side of the hill down to the coastline. This was the latest extension of the city in Hellenistic times (3rd and 2nd centuries BC). There are very few remains of buildings or retaining walls in this area, but its primary purpose probably was to incorporate a port in Karavostasi bay, which in antiquity should have penetrated much deeper into the valley creating a large natural harbor.

Below left: Plan of citadel B in the highest area of the hill. - Below right: One of the three rectangular towers of citadel B. In the distance the islands of Paxos (right) and Antipaxos.

Above left: Citadel B, looking NE. The ancient street ran parallel to the fortification walls. - Above right: The poorly preserved remains of a three-partite shrine on citadel B. The building, measuring 11.00 x 8.00 m, is partly hewn from the rock.

Below: Proceeding from citadel B to citadel A along the ancient fortification wall with one of the five rectangular towers of citadel A.