initials

GREECE PELOPONNESE ACHAIA KERYNEIA

2024-10-28

sign to ancient Keryneia landscape

On the way between Patras and Corinth there is one of the famous brown signs pointing to "Ancient Keryneia", but - as usual - not mentioning the distance. Keryneia is an ancient settlement of which not much remains and with very little information available. - As the road to Keryneia winds up the mountains it offers spectacular views to the Gulf of Corinth and the hinterland.

landscape landscape
tree skeletons

Decorative tree skeletons remind of the latest forest fire, but there are also the remains of a Hellenistic heroon of the 3rd century BC. It is quite unique, combining elements from the Macedonian tombs - the false door imitating the entrances of Macedonian tombs - with the peribolos of funerary monuments of the Classical period. But since it was roofed, fenced and locked, there was not very much to see.

Hellenistic heroon Hellenistic heroon
Hellenistic heroon plans

The road finally turns into a dirt track with no clear directions given whereupon I stopped my search of ancient Keryneia and choose some refreshing in a local taverna.

dirt track Greek salad