Ancient Eliki

Print
A+ A -A Larger Font Smaller Font

ArchaiaAchaiaGR_3.JPGThe traces of the ancient city have been lost in thousands of years. Ancient Eliki was destroyed during a terrible earthquake in the winter of 373 BC and sank into the sea. The legends on the remnants of ancient Eliki will enchant you. Some fishermen even claimed that, when the waters were still, they could see the remnants of the city.

Here was the famous temple of Poseidon of Eliki, Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Ions with a bronze statue of the god holding an hippocampus in his hand.
eliki.jpgThe two copper coins of the city that are currently preserved in the Museum of Berlin depict Poseidon with the inscription ELIK. The research on the discovery of Eliki began in mid-century and thanks to recent systematic excavations, there was found the first strong evidence for its existence on land, between the modern villages of Eliki, Rizomylos and Nikolaiika.

The territory of Eliki reached Mamousia and lowlier possibly extended to the Zachloritika where there are visible remains of walls and fortifications. Due to the earthquake of 373 AD, apart from Eliki, the neighbouring town of Voura was also destroyed but it was rebuilt by the inhabitants who survived. eliki1.jpgVoura, specially related to Eliki, is believed to have existed in the area between the rivers of Vouraikos and Ladopotamos. The mountainous part extended in the area of Kastro, in the south of Trapeza where some visible remains are saved. In the area of Voura, on the rocks south of Elaionas, there was the divinatory cave of Hercules of Vouraikos, where there are found traces of use in antiquity.
eliki3.jpgThe Continuous and persistent efforts of the Friends of Ancient Eliki, the Municipality of Diakopto and personally the archaeologist Mrs. Katsonopoulou achieved the removal of the financial "embargo" on behalf of the State and the rapid progress of research procedures.
The trial sections, made in the area between Nikolaiika and Eliki, have revealed several objects, walls, burial remains, etc. covering a long period of time by the Archaic to Roman times. The geological findings seem to confirm strong seismic events and the existence of a lake as a result of a strong earthquake in 371 BC.
The greatest discovery concerns a spectacular paved road, 500 meters long, of large amplitude and sound design, which is likely to be part of the famous route of Paphsanias, which connected Achaia with Sykiona. If that version is confirmed, the discovery of the ancient city will be a matter of time.


Source: www.diakopto.gr