Τhe Sanctuary of Apollo - The excavation: Building Α
 |
| Southwest corner of building A. Late Hellenistic period, 2nd – 1st c. BC. |
The erection of a hotel on the former Pateras-Tsangaroulis property just about “cut” in half a grand marble oblong edifice. It was a regrettable occurrence because of the damage that was caused, but it led to the excavation of the site and the uncovering of the sanctuary. Of this edifice – called building Α – the south and west walls survive today, which would have measured approximately 25 metres in length and 12.5 metres in width. It is built of layers of white and grey marble ashlar blocks from the quarries of Mt. Dikaios (ancient Oromedon). It too had a floor paved with marble slabs over an underlayer of large, smoothly carved blocks of reddish poros limestone from Kephalos, while its walls were faced with coloured plaster. Unfortunately the destruction of the eastern section does not allow us to reach definite conclusions as to its form and use. Originally it was thought that this was the very well-known temple of Apollo; its dating, however, to the Late Hellenistic period – 2nd to 1st c. BC – excludes such an identification. Nonetheless, its monumental construction shows that this too was a very important edifice.
 |
| Part of the west part of a Hellenistic building Z on the M. Hieromnemon property. Above it is built an Early Christian wall |
In addition to the above, on the neighbouring plot, situated to the north of the previous one and belonging to M. Hieromnymon, two other large, well-built ancient buildings, (buildings D and Z) have begun to be uncovered, over which later Early-Christian buildings have been erected. It is, however, too early for us to say anything concerning their exact form and function. Αlso being excavated is a monumental structure (building E), opposite the temple of early Hellenistic times (building C described above), but only the completion of the works of excavation will show whether this is an altar or some other type of building.