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Modern Description: Inland to the east of the shore rises the hill of Kastro – the ancient marine acropolis of ancient Oreos – now crowned by the ruins of a Venetian fort, built over successive Byzantine and Hellenistic fortification walls which are visible in places below. An archaeologists' trench on the summit reveals yet earlier, ancient walls. In the northeast corner of the area are two tombs, one Hellenistic, one Early Christian. Below the castle to the southwest is the interesting church of Ag. Basilios: in the crypt, beneath an ungainly construction of the 1970s, are the remains of an Early Christian place of worship cut down into the rock, with a curious rock-hewn niche behind the altar forming the central liturgical focus. At the west end of the church is a bulky, ancient sarcophagus which was found close by, similar to those in the northeast corner of the Kastro site: it is said to have contained the remains of an early bishop of Orei.
Wikidata ID: Q1855809
Trismegistos Geo: 856
DARE: 29418

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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