
Town in Euboea, Greece
Photo: Bdubosso, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Eretria (Ερέτρια) and Malakonta (Μαλακώντα), Magoula (Μαγούλα) are in Evvia.
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The Eretria Museum is one of the most important archaeological museums of Greek area, which presents findings from various seasons. The Museum is located in close proximity to the site, which helps for better understand. As important exhibits can be considered the sculpture complex of Theseus with Antiope from the west pediment of the temple of Apollo at Eretria, clay statuette Centauri bleach, which is the earliest representation of this mythological being, the bronze horse blinder embossed with representation from northern Syria and Panathenaic amphorae. In the lobby of the Museum houses sculptures of the 4th century. B.C. and inscriptions. The first main hall of the museum include the findings of prehistoric Eretria, as well as three adjacent prehistoric settlements, those of Xeropolis of Amarinthos and cheeks.
The temple of Apollo Daphniforos is the most important and wider known monument of Eretria. Construction started at the late sixth century BC (520-490 BC). After the destruction of the city by the Persians, the temple was repaired and remained in use; yet in 198 BC it was destroyed again, this time by the Romans, a fact which initiated the gradual abandonment and dilapidation of the monument until the first century BC. Unfortunately, the majority of architectural parts from this temple and other sanctuaries of the city were re-used as construction material; only a few (column) drums together with fragmented capitals and triglyphs remain from the superstructure of the monument.
The most impressive monument of ancient Eretria, one of the oldest known theatres, lies in the western section of town, between the western gate, the stadium and the upper gymnasium; the temple of Dionysos was found at its south-west end. As indicated by the architectural remains of the scene, the initial construction phase followed the invasion by the Persians and the reconstruction of the city in the fifth century BC. A striking fact is the construction of the cavea (gr.: koilo, auditorium) on an artificial hill surrounded by numerous retaining walls, instead of taking advantage of the citadel's slopes. During the first building phase, the scene looked like a palace, disposed of five adjacent rectangle rooms and found itself at the same level as the circular orchestra, leading to it via three entrances. At its peak (fourth century BC), the theatre suffered transformations and was shaped to a large extent in its present form. Local poros stone was used for the foundation and limestone for the parodoi (passageways), which sloped to the orchestra in order to diminish the difference in height with the cavea. The theatre seated 6,300 spectators and is reminiscent in form to the Theatre of Dionysos in Athens, after transformation of the latter in 330 BC. Following the destruction of Eretria by the Romans in 198 BC, it was rebuilt with lower quality materials and the rooms to the south of the parodos were then apparently decorated with colour mortars of the first Pompeian style. Unfortunately, most benches have been looted. There are still the impressive remains of the scene, especially the vaulted underground passage leading to the orchestra centre. Excavation of the monument was undertaken by the American Archaeological School, while the local Ephorate of Antiquities strived greatly for its restoration.
Among the most interesting monuments of ancient Eretria is the Iseion, a temple sacred to the goddess Isis and other Egyptian deities. Situated to the south of the town, between the baths and the Lower Gymnasium or the palaistra (wrestling area), it extends behind the small harbour, a detail that correlates the temenos with merchants who had their interests in Eretria. According to excavation and inscription testimonies, the temple was probably built in the fourth century BC and was surrounded by other edifices and auxiliary spaces.
This splendid house was built in ca. 370 B.C. and remained in use for about a century. It is distinguished by its floors, covered with elegant pebble mosaics representing mythological scenes: Nereids on the back of a seahorse, legendary battles between Arimaspians and griffins, sphinxes and panthers. The building is a representative specimen of the Classical and Hellenistic domestic architecture.
The so called "tomb of Erotes" lies on a hill to the northwest of Eretria city and counts among the most significant monuments of Evia island. Based on the findings, it is dated to the fourth century BC, the time when these characteristic burial monuments of the Macedonian type make their appearance in southern Greece after the descent of the Macedons. More Macedonian tombs were found in the wider area around Eretria, namely in the settlements of Kotroni and Amarynthos. The tomb of Erotes consists of a single vaulted chamber and a dromos (entrance passageway) of stone and bricks. The burial chamber is reminiscent of a residential room; it is built of poros stone plastered with white mortar.
Excavations carried out by the Greek Archaeological Service have revealed the limestone foundations and crepis of a circular building. It was erected in the fifth century BC in the Agora of the city, and underwent several modifications in the fourth and the third centuries BC. A circular bothros has also survived at the centre of the monument.
The Monastery of Agios Georgios Arma is a small, historic monastery inland from Chalkida, generally dated to the late Byzantine or early post-Byzantine period (likely 16th–17th century), though parts may incorporate earlier material. The complex centres on a simple stone-built katholikon dedicated to St George, with later additions reflecting periods of repair and modest expansion. Set among olive groves and low hills, it offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere and a glimpse into the region’s rural religious life away from the main tourist routes.
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The town can be reached from Skala Oropou, Attica by ferry or via Chalcis by road.
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