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Modern Description: The archaeological site of Pyrgos Ragiou (Tower of Ragio) occupies the top of a hill in the middle of the Ragio - Kestrini plain, near the old estuary of the River Kalamas. It was probably an inland stronghold of the nearby 5th century BC seaside settlement on the Lygia Peninsula, which possibly corresponds with ancient Toroni, the Corfian mainland base mentioned by Thucydides. Part of the wider Corfiot installation area was the small fortress Pyrgos Ragiou, which protects the main settlement of Ligia from the inland, while providing shelter to the population in times of war. It owes its modern name to the tower of the Ottoman period, which dominates the hilltop, built up right above the tower of the ancient fortification of the 5th century BC. The advantageous -in terms of natural beauty and fortification- location has attracted human interest from as early as the prehistoric period until more recent years.
The purely military nature of the position during the Classical and Hellenistic times is confirmed by the absence of buildings indicating permanent inhabitance and the existence of a large rock-cut cistern for the collection and storage of rainwater, which is characteristic in fortifications. Adjacent to the cistern, there is a construction of large rectangular stone blocks, possibly a sanctuary or a fountain. A few metres eastwards there is an interesting rectangular curving on the rock, resembling a prominent seat, the use or construction date of which remain, however, speculative.
A noticeable number of dry-stone walls preserved within the fortification are dated in more recent years, as well as a tower in the type of 'kula', characteristic in the post-Byzantine architecture of the area.
The excavations carried out in the 80s and 90s brought to light a wide range of findings confirming the intertemporal occupation of the site. These include flint tools from the Paleolithic and Neolithic period, pottery dating from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period, classical, hellenistic and roman coins, numerous arrowheads and lead sling pellets, fragments of terracotta figurines, as well as numerous everyday objects and jewelry from more recent years. Particular mention should be made of two characteristic Bronze Age vessels found in the older layers of habitation, one with plastic decoration. Also of great importance are the fragmentary archaic figurines, the earliest so far found in Thesprotia.
After the enhancement works of the archaeological site during the period 1999-2000, provision has been made for all the necessary infrastructure and amenities for the public (access road, visitor's path, informative signposts etc). The ottoman Tower has been restored and currently operates as an exhibition hall.
The site is a small fort of purely military use extending in an area of just 3.000 sq. metres. It is encircled by a strong -mainly isodomic- defensive wall reinforced by rectangular towers and preserved in a very good condition. Only a small section of the wall to the west is constructed in polygonal masonry, in accordance with other major fortifications of Thesprotia, i.e. Elea or Dimokastro. It dates to the 5th century BC and is the oldest surviving fortification of Thesprotia, contemporary with the neighboring settlement on the Lygia peninsula, with which it is directly connected. In antiquity, the main entrance was on the south wall, oriented towards the settlement of the peninsula, while in the north wall there was a secondary small gate, which nowadays serves as a visitor entrance to the archaeological site.
The purely military nature of the site during the Classical and Hellenistic periods is evidenced by the absence of buildings declaring permanent habitation. Also indicative of the defensive character of the fort is an impressive rock-cut cistern for the collection and storage of rainwater, which is entirely carved into the rock and has a diameter of 13 meters and a depth of more than 5 m. In the vicinity of the tank there is a construction of large rectangular stone blocks, possibly a sanctuary or a fountain.
In one of the prominent rocks of the southeastern portion of the top of the hill there is a rectangular cutting, which both construction time and the purpose they serve still unknown.
A noticeable number of dry-stone enceintes and walls, dating to the ottoman period, attest for an extended and more systematic habitation of the site during that period. This is the period when a two-storeyed building was constructed right above the northern tower of the ancient fortification wall: the Tower (Pyrgos), to which the site owns its name.
The Tower of Pyrgos Ragiou belongs to the architectural type of ?koulia? or ?kula? which, along with the type of towerhouse, was quite common in the whole Balkan area during the ottoman period. It was a building used as a guardhouse - watchtower and for the accommodation of Agha (turkish guard) of the area. Owing to its defensive character, the building lacks entrances or other openings at the ground floor. The only entrance is situated at a higher level and was accessible via a stone stairway and a wooden drawbridge. Accordingly, the windows -square or arched- are small and absent from the ground floor. For the efficient confrontation of the enemy, there are gun slits on every wall, as well as an oil cruet right above the entrance. From that opening hot oil was poured down on the attacker.
Wikidata ID: Q38281355
DARE: 34607

Info: Odysseus

(Odysseus, Greek Ministry of Culture)

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