Acropolis of Thasos

Acropolis of Thasos was built on a rectangular plateau.  The position is ideal and served as an excellent observatory 137m above sea level. Acropolis owes its current form from the medieval times, but there is a corner of the wall built of marble that belongs to the Acropolis of the 5th century BC.  This is where the sanctuary of Pythian Apollo was located based on the inscriptions found referring to its worship.  A castle was built during the Byzantine period in the place of the temple of Apollo.

The foundations of the temple of Athena are preserved till today on the second peak of Acropolis.  It dates from the 5th century BC. The sanctuary of Pana is carved in the rocks near the third peak of Acropolis, where inside there is a raised design of the goat-footed god.

Near the southern peak of the Acropolis, at the point where there is a large stone with a pair of eyes and nose, used to be the wall and the Gate of Parmenion.  Further ahead there is another large stone into the wall with an inscription dating from around 510-490 BC.  The gate of Hercules and Dionysus are dating from about the same period.

On the western slope of Acropolis of Thassos is an amphitheatre is situated. The theatre leans on the ancient city wall, hence losing the absolute geometry of the hollow in the eastern side.  The first excavation was conducted by the French Archaeological School in 1921 and revealed the auditorium, the orchestra, the lanes and a part of the stage.  What the visitor sees is how it looked during the Roman period during which has become a venue for naval and hunting performances, hence the gallery at the orchestra and the monumental two-store stage.

Access to the theatre is via a stone staircase winding from “Dionysio” the hillside and also via a natural path that runs parallel to the outer wall and leads from the port to “Evreokastro” and finally to the theatre.  In recent years, the risk of fire made necessary to create a forest road leading to the monument, bypassing the hill of Acropolis.  This road is now used exclusively to transfer necessary equipment for the various performances and to transport disabled and elderly visitors on site.

References:

• Visit Thassos

Address

Thasos, Greece

Details

Founded: 6th century BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece