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Modern Description: The numerous caves at Kakia Skala were inhabited already in the Palaeolithic and the Neolithic Age. On the acropolis of Megara are remnants of Cyclopean walls and remains of habitation from the entire prehistoric era, as at Pachi (ancient Nisaea) too.
The city of Megara was founded in the 8th century BC. On account of its strategic position it was at various times in conflict with Corinth and, more often, Athens. It was plundered by the Goths in AD 395.
The ancient city had two harbours, Nisaea on the Saronic gulf (area of Pachi), to which it was connected by Long Walls (460 BC), and Pagae on the Corinthian (Kato Alepochori, several remains of the 4th-century BC fortification are visible). There were also two fortified acropoleis on the Alkathos and Karia hills. The modern town is built on top of the ancient city and the finds are consequently fragmentary. The so-called 'Fountain of Theagenes' (tyrant, c. 635 BC) is a monument well worth visiting. Comprising a building with prostoon, a tank for drawing water and a large rectangular cistern for storing water, with a medial wall and five rows of octagonal columns (c. 500 BC), it was perhaps a work by the Megarian engineer Eupalinos, who also designed the aqueduct on Samos. Subterranean granaries with pillars at the centre, known as 'megara', have been excavated under the houses of the Classical period.
Close to the city, beside the motorway to Corinth, are a rock-cut tomb with sarcophagus and a circular building with lateral areas, known as the Heroon of Kar (mythical king). However, it may well have been a tower for guarding the surrounding region.
Remains of Early Byzantine structures on both acropoleis. Architectural members and traces of a house with rooms arranged around an internal courtyard date from the same period.
Wikidata ID: Q42307600
Trismegistos Geo: 1331
Manto: 9619397

Info: Archaeological Atlas of the Aegean

(Archaeological Atlas of the Aegean, Ministry of the Aegean)

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