The archaeological site of Oiniades extends across the hill of Trikardos or Trikardokastro, which is covered with an oak tree forest. It is located in the delta of the Acheloos, at a distance of about 4.5 km west of the village of Katochi, from where it can be accessed via a network of country-roads. It was one of the most important and strategic cities of the Akarnanians, but was claimed by the Aitolians, who occupied it between 331-189 BC.
The initial phase of the city’s fortification was constructed in the mid-5th century BC and then added to towards the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V, who used the area as a military base. It is one of the earliest and finest examples of Acarnanian fortifications, with a total length of 5.5 km and a separately fortified citadel in the south-eastern part. The main gate of the fortification was on the eastern side, while there were numerous smaller gates of various types, of which the arched one to the harbour (“Avloporta”) stands out. Of the ancient city still survive the remains of its residential fabric and traces of roads in an irregular system.
In the central part of the fortified area stretches the Agora with buildings surrounding it on three sides of its square where foundations of votive monuments are preserved. Among these buildings, a temple, a double stoa, the square council house and a circular heroon are prominent. About 150 m north-west of the agora is the town theatre, a monument partly built and partly carved into the rock. It was constructed in two phases: the first around the middle of the 4th century BC and the second in the first half of the 3rd century BC, during which step it was mainly the stage structure that was modified, today preserved only at the level of its foundations. The monument has a circular orchestra with a diameter of about 16 m and a perimeter drainage gutter. The cavea retains twenty-seven rows of seats, occupying eleven sections and served by twelve staircases; its capacity is estimated at 4,600 spectators. In the south-western part of the cavea, stones inscribed with manumission texts are preserved.
The ancient city, although today in a land-locked position, had in antiquity at least two ports and other docking places, which probably opened into a lagoon. They subsequently fell into disuse and were undone by the major geomorphological changes that took place in the area of the Acheloos estuary. In the northernmost of these ports were the ship-sheds for the accommodation of six ships, which ended in ramps for access. They were probably built at the beginning of the 4th century BC and abandoned in Roman times. This constitutes one of the few surviving monuments of its type and indeed is one of the best preserved in the Mediterranean. The site was later used as a small shipyard or ship repair-shop. The area of this northern harbour was protected by a separate fortification, in which the so-called ‘Kokkinopyrgos’ stands out, while on the western side there was a small temple, probably dedicated to Athena Sotira. At the southern end of the harbour, a bathing establishment of the late Hellenistic period (2nd century BC) is preserved, with a total of six rooms, including two circular main halls, around the edges of which the bath-tubs were arranged.
The archaeological site of Oiniades received significant protection and enhancement interventions between 2002-2015, which were implemented by the Fund for the Management of Credits and the Execution of Archaeological Projects, with funding from the 2nd and 3rd CSF (2002-2013), through the Operational Programme of the Region of Western Greece (Project “Protection, research and promotion of three ancient cities of the prefecture of Aitoloakarnania: Plevrona – Oiniades – Palairos). The accessible part of the archaeological site 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 Oiniades” with funding from the Operational Programme “Western Greece 2014-2020”. A model of the ship-sheds and the area surrounding them, as well as finds from the city’s cemeteries, are exhibited are on display at the Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum.
Address: 300 01 Katochi
Opening hours: 8.30 – 15.30
Entrance: Full ticket: 3 Euros, Reduced ticket: 2 Euros
