Ancient Argilos

The Ancient Amphipolis dominates as an archaeological site at the entrance of the Strymon, but at a distance of 6 km another, even older state offers the remains of the as useful knowledge about the history of the region and the inhabited people. On the hill "Paleokastro", in an area of about 150 acres, the ancient colony of the Andrians who chose the location to exploit the area rich in agricultural products, wood, and minerals, presents the organization of Argilos, founded in 655 BC.

The excavation of the site has been going on since 1992 and the findings are great. The immaculately maintained olive mill stands out among the houses and shops of the ancient settlement, while public and private buildings that come to the surface help to understand how an ancient Greek city was created as a colony, that is, in an area where colonists coming from Andros had to coexist with the local population, miles away from their island.

The layout of ancient Argilos itself, with its narrow alleys, is reminiscent of an Aegean island, while the island architecture of the time when the city was built is itself a special feature of the Macedonian landscape. Argιlos was conquered by Philip II (357 BC) and after its destruction, it was not reconstructed except in its acropolis, as the neighboring Amphipolis was experiencing its great prosperity.