Acropolis of Pagae, Alepochori, Municipality of Mandra-Eidyllia
Pagae, in the site of modern Kato Alepochori, was the harbor of ancient Megara at the Corinthian Gulf. The historian Thucydides refers to the strategic role of the town during the Peloponnesian War.
In the 2nd century B.C. Pagae became an independent city, joined the Achaean League, and minted its own currency. The small port of Panormos, at modern Psatha, was also included in the territory of Pagae. Pagae and the neighboring city of Aigosthena (Porto Germeno bay) quarreled for its domination. At Pagae existed a Theatre and an Agora. Sanctuaries of Zeus, Artemis, Isis, and a heroon of Aegialeus are also mentioned. Pausanias at the 2nd century A.D. states that there was a bronze statue of Artemis Sotira, similar to the one that existed at Megara. The site was also occupied during late Antiquity and early Christian times. In Byzantine times, Pagae is mentioned as the chair of a Bishop.
The fortification walls
The acropolis of the ancient city is located on the hill where now stands the small church of Zoodochos Pigi. Parts of the ancient fortification wall, towers, and gates can be seen alongside the modern roadway leading from Megara. There were also two long fortification walls built from the northern wall of the citadel which ended at the sea in order to protect the ancient port. A small part of the western fortification long wall and the foundations of the adjacent gate have been excavated in the area of the settlement Kato Alepochori, not very far from the modern coastline.
The ancient cemeteries
The cemeteries of the ancient city extended outside the walls. Some parts of them have been excavated. The burials date back from the Classical period (5th c. BC) to the Early Christian period (5th century AD.). At Pyrgari is located a part of a Hellenistic cemetery where the graves were carved into the rock.
3677