Archaeological Site of Pagae-Acropolis

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35MQ+99, Kato Alepochori 190 12, Greece

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35MQ+99, Kato Alepochori 190 12, Greece

Archaeological Site of Pagae-Acropolis

Kato Alepochori, Ancient Pagae: The Ancient Pagae or Pegae were located in today’s Kato Alepochori. It was an important city and harbor of the ancient Megara at the Corinthian Gulf. The historian Thucydides refers to the strategic role of the town during the Peloponnesian War. In the 2nd century BC Pagai became an independent city, joined the Achaean League, and minted its own currency. The small port of Panormos, at modern Psatha, was also included in the territory of Pagae. Pagae and the neighboring city of Aigosthena (Porto Germeno bay) quarreled for its domination.

In the city of Pagae, there was a theater and an Agora. Sanctuaries of Zeus, Artemis, Isis, and the hero Aegialeas have also been mentioned. The traveler Pausanias, in the 2nd century AD mentions that there was a bronze statue of Artemis Soteira, similar to the one in Megara. The habitation of the site is confirmed archaeologically also during the early Christian period. In the Byzantine period, “Pagae” was mentioned as an episcopal seat.

The walls: The acropolis of the ancient city is located on the hill, where now stands the small church of Zoodochos Pigi. Parts of the ancient fortification wall, towers, and gates can be seen alongside the road from Megara to Alepochori. Fortification walls started from the northern wall of the acropolis and ended at the sea, in order to protect the ancient harbor. A small part of the western fortification leg and gate have been excavated in the area of the rammed settlement in Kato Alepochori.

The ancient cemeteries: Outside the ancient walls, parts of the cemeteries of the ancient city have been excavated. The burials date from the classical period (5th century BC) to early Christian period (5th century AD). Particularly noteworthy is the Hellenistic cemetery at Pyrgari hill, where the tombs were carved into the natural rock.

Kato Alepochori, Ancient Pagae: The Ancient Pagae or Pegae were located in today's Kato Alepochori. It was an important city and harbor of the ancient Megara at the Corinthian Gulf. The historian Thucydides refers to the strategic role of the town during the Peloponnesian War. In the 2nd century BC Pagai became an independent city, joined the Achaean League, and minted its own currency. The small port of Panormos, at modern Psatha, was also included in the territory of Pagae. Pagae and the neighboring city of Aigosthena (Porto Germeno bay) quarreled for its domination. In the city of Pagae, there was a theater and an Agora. Sanctuaries of Zeus, Artemis, Isis, and the hero Aegialeas have also been mentioned. The traveler Pausanias, in the 2nd century AD mentions that there was a bronze statue of Artemis Soteira, similar to the one in Megara. The habitation of the site is confirmed archaeologically also during the early Christian period. In the Byzantine period, "Pagae" was mentioned as an episcopal seat. The walls: The acropolis of the ancient city is located on the hill, where now stands the small church of Zoodochos Pigi. Parts of the ancient fortification wall, towers, and gates can be seen alongside the road from Megara to Alepochori. Fortification walls started from the northern wall of the acropolis and ended at the sea, in order to protect the ancient harbor. A small part of the western fortification leg and gate have been excavated in the area of the rammed settlement in Kato Alepochori. The ancient cemeteries: Outside the ancient walls, parts of the cemeteries of the ancient city have been excavated. The burials date from the classical period (5th century BC) to early Christian period (5th century AD). Particularly noteworthy is the Hellenistic cemetery at Pyrgari hill, where the tombs were carved into the natural rock.

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