Drakospita

The Drakospitae are megalithic cult buildings in southern Evia, dating back to the Classical (5th century BC) and early Hellenistic times. They are located near Styra, Karystos, and the top of Ochi. The dragon houses are built of square oblong and relatively thin stones, which are stacked on top of each other without other binding materials. They are held together only by their weight. The gaps are filled with other smaller stones. The roof is elaborately constructed of huge stones, which get closer and closer together, eventually leaving an elongated hole in the middle through which light enters. Most of the dragon houses are still preserved today in excellent condition, where the grey stone of the area predominates and where all other building materials are absent. Professor Nikolaos Moutsopoulos found, in an underground structure next to a dragon house, animal bones, fragments of pottery and remains of sacrifices. The dragon houses have recently been interpreted as buildings of religious significance (‘houses’) where ancient Greek deities were worshipped. Some of them, according to earlier views, were considered farmhouses, shelters or buildings of military use.

The most famous Drakospita are found:

• At the top of Ochi. It is located on the Prophet Elias peak of Mount Ochi and measures 12.7 x 7.7m. The entrance consists of pilasters and lintel of monolithic construction while the ephoric roof, made of large stone blocks, is preserved. The cult finds cover the period from the 6th to the 2nd-1st century BC. On the basis of the finds and ancient evidence, it is considered a sanctuary of Zeus and Hera, although it was previously interpreted as an outpost, a cryptshop, a quarrymen’s shelter or a place of residence for Roman soldiers guarding the quarries of Ochis. An excavation on the floor of the building revealed a significant number of monolithic cups, painted in black paint, which were gathered together and turned upside down. Also found during the same excavation were sherds (fragments of vessels) with engraved inscriptions.
• The complex at Pallis-Lakka Styron. It is the best preserved of the area of Styra and consists of 3 farmhouse-type buildings, dating from the Classical to Hellenistic periods.
• The Drakospito of Niborio Styron. It is a typical tower with dimensions of 6,5 x 7,4 m with trapezoidal masonry. On the west side there is an entrance one metre wide. It has been considered a sanctuary, a farmhouse and even a construction, like the dragon house of Ochis, of slaves from Caria who worked in the quarries of the region and exported stone from Karystos (‘karystia stone’). It dates back to the end of the 4th century BC.

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