On the southeastern slope of Varassova, there is an ancient fortress in very good condition that seems to be that of ancient Chalkis, a city mentioned by Homer in connection with the Expedition to Troy. Chalkis is said to have participated in the ships sent by Aitolia. The location of the town itself is on the hill of Ag. Triada, 300 m east of the village of Kato Vassiliki. The fortified refuge on Varassova served as a shelter for its inhabitants in times of war, but also allowed a better supervision of the area, as it offered a wider view.
At an altitude of 60-200 m, the spot provides a wonderful view of the valley of Kato Vassiliki and the Gulf of Patras. One can also make out the opposite coast of the Peloponnese. These aspects explain the given place name of Pangali, still used today: the word refers to its all-round beauty. Access to the site can be gained from a short uphill footpath that starts from the cove of Limnopoula, at the south-eastern foot of the mountain, and passes through the southern wall and the central gate of the fortress. This probably marks an ancient passage-way leading to the bay, where the natural harbour of the town would have been. Another access is provided today by a country road, about 1 km long, which starts from the beach at a distance of 280 m west of Kato Vassiliki and ends on the north side of the fortification. However, it is not maintained in good condition and access by conventional vehicles is difficult. Approach on foot is preferable.
The fortified place belongs to the best preserved and earliest examples of military architecture in the area; it is a declared archaeological site. The fortification consists of two walls, which protect to the north and the south a natural terrace of the mountain, while on the other two sides the site is naturally protected by the rocky and steep terrain. Its towers are quadrilateral and have characteristic pointed windows. The two gates inside the enclosure are in the northern part of the fortification. Inside, remains of buildings are preserved, which have not been investigated to date. The fortification dates to the late Classical period, mainly to the second half of the 4th century BC.
On the southern side of the fortified plateau, remains from the Final Neolithic period (4600-4200 BC) and the Early Bronze Age have been uncovered, further evidence of the existence of human activity on Varassova over time. Among the finds were pieces of pottery, bones of goats, wild animals, fish and birds, stone tools and other implements used for hunting and for working skins. Of particular importance is the presence of obsidian, a volcanic material from Melos and especially a small schematic figurine made of marble, which shows Cycladic characteristics, elements that indicate early contacts with the Aegean. It is exhibited in the Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum.
