Paleopolis, Andros
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 A view of Paleopolis |
Paleopolis (Greek Παλιοπολι 'old city') is an ancient city on the west coast of Andros in the Cyclades Islands, Greece.
From the archaic to the first Byzantine period, the epicenter of the island's activities is traced to the area of Paleopolis, which is found on the west side of the island, at a distance of 5 kilometers from Ipsili and 10 kilometers from Zagora, Andros. The archaic ceramic findings, which were gathered from the area, are dated back to the Mycenean period, though some remains show signs of inhabitation during the Geometric period. Important findings of the area, the daughter of Copenhagen, a "Kouros" and the cluster of Pegasus and Velerefontis, which date back to the 6th century B.C., show that the city met large prosperity during the Archaic period. Construction in the area, according to the most recent findings, began during the beginning of the 5th century B.C. and continued through the old Christian times.
The area of the city is evident since the fortification of the area is visible along its' length and in some areas very high. The center of Paleopolis (or Agora) was located near the coastline, towards the east, which was near the port, whose remains are still evident today submerged in the sea. On the outskirts of town to the East and West, one will find the cemeteries. From the remains, the many sculptures and written sources, one can see that the city was very well fortified and not only had a marketplace but also had a theatre, altars and temples.
From the 1st century C.E. there begins a decadence of the city, although life continued throughout the 6th century C.E., as it is evident from the remains of prebyzantine basilica churches found in the area.
Today, there's about 300 people inhabiting this village. If you're visiting it there's a cafe , restaurant, a museum that was recently opened in 2003, and a beautiful beach that is perfect for snorkeling and can be reached only by foot or boat.
