The archaeological site of Pleuron is located about 5 km northwest of Messolonghi, at the southwestern foothills of the Zygos mountain range. It has direct access via the National Road Antirrio – Ioannina or by the Ionian Road, from exit 4, towards Messolonghi.
Pleuron held an important place in Aitolian mythology, and owed its name to Pleuron, son of Aitolia’s progenitor Aitolos. It is mentioned by Homer in the Iliad as a city that participated in the force of ships sent by the Aitolians to Troy. Its original site is placed on the hills of Gyftokastro and Petrovouni, about 2 km north of Messolonghi. According to Strabo, it was completely destroyed in 234 BC by Demetrius II of Macedon, known as Aitolikos. It is generally believed to have been rebuilt in a new location, further west and higher up than the original: this is more widely known as the castle of Kyra-Rini. The new setting of the city overlooked the entire lagoon of Messolonghi. It was fortified with a wall 2,360 m long, enclosing a total area of 58 acres. At the top of the enclosure there was a separately fortified acropolis, at an altitude of 370 m, where Athena Arakynthia was probably worshipped in a temple allegedly founded by Tydeus.
The fortification of “New” Pleuron is one of the most impressive examples of military architecture in Aitolia. It survives to a great height, with its gates, towers and ascending steps. Within the walled area, the layout of the urban fabric can be seen, which partly followed the Hippodamian system, with building complexes organised in blocks/insulae surrounded by the roads. In addition to private buildings, the town Agora stretches inside the enclosure, with foundations of a stoa and other public buildings of unknown purpose: there exists too a gymnasium or stadium (?), as well as a water-cistern, statue pedestals and exedrae. One of the most distinctive monuments on the site is a large rock-cut tank (33 x 22 m), with a capacity of 2,500 cubic m, divided internally into five chambers.
Among the public buildings of the city, the peculiar small theatre stands out. Built above the western wall of the fortification enclosure, near its main gate, it offers an excellent view of the surrounding area. The monument dates back to the end of the 3rd century BC. The cavea is partly carved into the natural rock: four internal stairways and 18 rows of seats remain. It is estimated to have originally had 25-30 rows. The stage building had a two-storey proscenium and was attached to the wall, where it used a neighbouring tower as an auxiliary space (changing rooms? ). The cemeteries of the city included imposing monuments of the “Macedonian” type and elaborate burial enclosures.
The archaeological site of Pleuron underwent significant interventions for its enhancement and restoration between 2002-2015, financed by the Fund for the Management of Credits and the Execution of Archaeological Projects and then by the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, drawing on funds from the 3rd Framework Programme (2002-2009) and the NSRF (2011-2015), through the Operational Programme of the Region of Western Greece. The accessible part of the archaeological site, which does not include the acropolis, has a parking area, buildings for the use of the public, information material and designated visitor routes. The Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada recently completed the implementation of the project “Conservation, Restoration and Enhancement of the ancient theatre of Pleuron” with funding from the Operational Programme “΅Western Greece 2014-2020”.
Address: 302 00 Messolonghi
Opening hours: 8.30 – 15.30
Entrance: Full ticket: 3 Euros, Reduced ticket: 2 Euros
