Ancient Eretria

Evia


Ancient Eretria was a major maritime power with an eminent school of philosophy, and was destroyed in 87 BC by the Roman commander Sylla. Its scant but fascinating ruins lie scattered around town; pick up a map at the Archaeological Museum. Southwest of the ancient hilltop acropolis (north of the main road) are the remains of a 5th-century-BC theatre and a 4th-century-BC temple; the most fascinating site is the House of Mosaics (370 BC), with pebble mosaics depicting mythological scenes.

Other remnants include baths, walls, a gymnasium, and the Temple of Apollo Daphnephoros with its origins in the 8th century BC. Allow a couple of hours to explore the ruins.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Evia attractions

1. Archaeological Museum of Eretria

0.18 MILES

This captivating museum displays the archaeological riches unearthed in Eretria since the 19th century, with information detailed in Greek and French. The…

2. Lukas Winery

2.17 MILES

Founded in 1991, the Lykos family's vineyards produce prize-winning Malagousia whites, among other fine wines, marrying traditional and cutting-edge…

3. Avantis Wine Estate

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With its roots in the 1830s, the innovative, award-winning family-owned Avantis estate, 5km southeast of Halkida, creates outstanding reds, whites and…

4. Kamares

10.64 MILES

Around 2km east of the centre, just north of the bus station, this well-preserved Roman-Venetian aqueduct spans a busy road.

5. Archaeological Museum

11.57 MILES

This turn-of-the-20th-century building houses ancient artefacts uncovered in both Halkida and nearby Eretria, including a headless torso of Apollo dated…

6. Synagogue

11.6 MILES

Set within a small courtyard, Halkida's beautiful cream-walled synagogue dates from the 19th century: it was rebuilt in the 1850s following a fire that…

7. Agia Paraskevi

11.62 MILES

Honouring Halkida's patron saint, the modest Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, with its impressive tower, was founded around 1250 AD.

8. Tzami Emir Zade

11.65 MILES

This striking 15th-century mosque contains an intriguing exhibition on Evia's history and cartography, with displays of local maps dating back to the 16th…