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THE ACROPOLIS OF ERESSOS (MASTOS)
Strabo mentions that Eressos "was founded on a hill and lied by the sea". Despite the insufficient archaeological and stratigraphical evidence, there is no reason to doubt that Eressos was founded in the Late Bronze Age, after the arrival of the Aeoleis, along with all the other towns of Lesbos. In the Hellenistic period it extended to the south, towards the harbour. Much later, in the Medieval times, the Gateluzzi constructed a castle which was abolished in 1757 when the Turks founded the fortress of Sigrion.
The site has not yet been systematically excavated. In the 1880's, during his tour on the island, Koldewey visited the acropolis and made drawings and descriptions of the visible architectural remains.
Falling of rocks was noted on the slopes of the acropolis in October 1991 and again in 1992. After the intervention of the 20th Ephorate, the Direction of the Restoration of Antiquities proceeded to the necessary preparations for the project which was begun in January 1993, for the consolidation of the rocky slopes of the acropolis, by means of cement injections and various other methods for keeping the rocks in place.
The acropolis of Eressos is located on a naturally defensive hill on the SW coast of the island, and in antiquity it was called "Mastos". According to Koldewey, the total length of theenceinte was 1 km and the enclosed area was about 4,5 hectars. Several parts of the ancient fortification wall are preserved near the foot of the hill. It is built of trachite in the lesbian masonry but several sections are built in a different manner. The whole structure is dated to the Archaic period. Gates and external towers were also distinguished by Koldewey. In the Hellenistic period the settlement was extended to the south of the original enceinte, in the area of the harbour. Another 1,5 hectars were added to the habitation area and a new wall was constructed, this time in the isodomic system.
Remains of a medieval castle are also preserved on top of the hill. It was built in the period of the Gateluzzi and remained in use until the capture of Lesbos by the Turks, in 1462.
Falling of rocks was noted on the slopes of the acropolis in October 1991 and again in 1992. After the intervention of the 20th Ephorate, the Direction of the Restoration of Antiquities proceeded to the necessary preparations for the project which was begun in January 1993, for the consolidation of the rocky slopes of the acropolis, by means of cement injections and various other methods for keeping the rocks in place.
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THE ACROPOLIS OF ERESSOS (MASTOS)
IMAGE GALLERY
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THE ACROPOLIS OF ERESSOS (MASTOS)
