Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-08-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Borders fixed for 2 ancient sites in Ioannina

[01] Borders fixed for 2 ancient sites in Ioannina

The first site is located on Gardiki (Rodotopi) Hill and is identified with the Classical Era city of Passarona (Ðóáþá), the capital of the Molossoi state. The Molossoi (Molossians) were a significant Greek Epirote tribe that, among others, lent their name to a canine breed (Molossoid) of huge war-mastiffs used in military operations. Additionally, Alexander the Great's mother, Olympias, hailed from the Molossoi, as did King Pyrrhus of Epirus.

The area, declared an archaeological site in 1961, includes the Passarona acropolis (Kastri hilltop), ruins and Roman-era graves.

The Tekmonas site, or, known by other accounts as Eurymenai or Euroia Aktia, is located near the present-day village of Kastritsa, a short drive from the lake-side Epirus capital of Ioannina. Both sites were reportedly fortified with polygonal walls, ruins of which survive today.

The Kastritsa archaeological site, since 2002, was bestowed a 1st protection zone status, meaning that crop cultivation, herding, reforestation, road building and maintenance of previously built structures are legal. New construction, tunnelling, quarry works as well as the erection of telecommunications towers/antennas is prohibited.

Additionally, a presidential decree finalising the protection zones for the entire valley where the important Dodoni archaeological site is located, which hosts the eponymous ancient Odeon and sanctuary, was also signed by the relevant town planning deputy minister and forwarded to the president's office for signing.

Dodoni, located southwest of the city of Ioannina, is probably the best known archaeological site in Epirus.

Caption: A file photo, dated Sunday, June 25, 2006, shows Lake Pamvotida, which straddles the city of Ioannina, the historical capital of Epirus province since the early Middle Ages, and the islet in the middle of the lake. ANA-MPA / P. PAPPA.

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