GREECE EPIRUS THESPROTIA GITANA

Between Ragio and Filiates, at the hydroelectric dam of the Kalamas river, a signposted road leads to the archaeological site of Gitana, known already in the 19th century, but until the 1980's practically inaccessible. After centuries of abandonment, the Gitana archaeological site value enhancement works took place in 2003-2008, making it one of the most attractive ancient sites in Epirus today.

Although the area was already populated in prehistoric times, as demonstrated by the finds of flint blades and prehistoric pottery, the remains visible today come from the late Classical / Hellenistic period. After the establishment of the Koinon of the Thesprotians (association of Epirote cities) in ca. 320 BC, Gitana was founded as the political centre of the Thesprotians. The selection of the actual location in a bend of the Kalamas river had strategic, political and economic implications. The river not only enhanced the natural protection of the site but, being navable at that time, was also the main route of communication with the hinterland and linked Gitana with other fortified Thesprotian settlements along its course.

Gitana is surrounded by a strong polygonal and isodomic wall, its thickness ranging between 2.50 and 4 metres. It encloses an impressive area of 287,000 square metres. The northern side of the fort is reinforced with nine orthogonal towers and a semi-circular tower on top of the Vrysella hill, with twelve retrenchments on its western and northern sides. Access to the settlement was ensured through three main gates and three smaller gateways.

A large number of building foundations has been excavated. Especially in the "Lower City", Gitana is built according to the Hippodamian system with roads intersecting at right angles. Some deviations from regularity are due to the steep descent of the terrain. The population of Gitana is estimated to be 6,000 by the time of destruction of the city by the Romans in 167 BC.

One of the most interesting buildings in Gitana is "Building E" (photos below), next to the agora on the slope of Vrysella hill. Apparently, this must have been a later addition. It is a 20 x 16m wide building with almost rectangular floor plan, divided into two rooms. The room on the west seems to have functioned as an ambry and the one on the east as a place of worship for Apollo, as is suggested by a stone base, considered to be a baetylus (worship pillar), a worship symbol of the god. The assumption that this room was a place of worship is supported also by the discovery of parts of an inscription.

Inside "Building E" foundations of an earlier building are seen, not aligned with the walls of "Building E". These lower archaeological layers of the settlement have not yet been investigated in detail, resulting in an unclear picture in terms of the area’s probable inhabitance before the foundation of the city during the second half of the 4th century BC.

The political and commercial agora of the settlement is located on a large plateau, formed as an open orthogonal square, surrounded by a longitudinal stoa on the North. Inside the stoa, along the stereobate, extends a continuous bench. On the forefront of the agora, parts of twelve circular, rectangular and square pedestals supporting votive statues and decrees were discovered, together with a semi-circular exedra. The southern side of the agora is delimited by a large complex of shops.

Below right: Road leading to the southeast of the settlement.