Vroukounta

Karpathos, Greece

The ancient Vrykous city of the Dorians may have reached its peak during the 4th and the 3rd centuries BC, but this place seems to have been inhabited since the Minoan – Mycenaean era. The ancient city has been completely looted. Its carved tombs stand wide open with no grave goods left in them. The residents Christianized the place during the next centuries (according to reports of the Archaeological Service three basilicas were built during the 5th and 6th century) and used ancient materials to honor Ai-Giannis of Vroukounta at the edge of the cape inside a hidden cave.

Walking down the stone steps of the cave the visitor-pilgrim comes across the inner sanctuary of this rudimentary church.

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Karpathos, Greece
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Details

Founded: 4th century BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

Rating

5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Boštjan “Srko” Srčič (4 years ago)
I am not really sure what to say about this place. Unbelivable this is not big turist atraction. There was nobody there. In three hours we havr only seen two turists. There is a lot of tombs or better to be said houses of ancient people who lived there. Very interesting sight. I would say there is at least 40 houses or even more. We hiked down there from Avlona because there is no road there. Car must be parked in Avlona. Hike down there should not be taken too easy. It is true the hike is just 5 km in one way but first of all you need to climb back to Avlona on the way back (about 300 meters of height) and second thing is that temperatures can easy be over 30°C and there is no shadow there. So be sure you have at least 1.5 litres of water per person. And do not forget to hike to the church at the far end of the cape. This is underground church in which you enter throught small hole and you went down to the hole about 15 stairs. Below there is unbelivable big and bright church in the cave. It looks like you can also get there by boat but when ve vere there there vas not much turists because of corona situation so there was no trips or boat cruises to this place
Todo T (4 years ago)
Hiking: 1 hour downhill, 1.5 hour uphill. Difficulty: It is not difficult. But I would suggest avoiding days with too much heat and apnea. A little wind would be good for such a long hike. Keep water and nuts with you! History: The people of this place moved to the mountains and created Mount Olympus (neighboring village) in the 8th century, to be saved from pirates and natural disasters. extras: The view from the ruins / ruins of the city is creepy. It seems to have been too big.
Josué Ortiz (5 years ago)
Ancient Vroukounta, ancient Greece
Ray HENRY (5 years ago)
Vrikus the ancient city north of Karpathos. An extraordinary place, desert and difficult to access today. It was more than 2000 years ago a very active large Greek city. Unmissable place of memory
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