Oreoi
In the acropolis of ancient Istiaea (or Oreon) were found remains of a Bronze Age (3rd - 2nd millennium BC) settlement.
The city of historical times was founded by Aeolians and is mentioned in the Iliad. It briefly fell to the Persians, but after the "Persians" it joined the First Athenian Alliance. The ancient city extended on the fortified Kastro hill on the eastern outskirts of Orea. Parts of the Byzantine fortification are built with stone blocks of the classical wall. Remains of two rectangular towers are also preserved. In the village square, a supernatural bull from a tomb monument of the 4th century BC is exhibited in a special display case. On the Kenaeus peninsula (Lichada), where a sanctuary of Kenaeus Zeus, a five-sided enclosure with towers was excavated (3rd - 2nd century BC). At the site of Kastri in Lihada, remains of walls and a reservoir are preserved on a low hill, where the ancient Dion, city of the Avants, is located. Another naturally fortified acropolis exists at the location of Kastelli Gialtron (Athens Diades) with remains of walls and other buildings. Also in the coastal Baths of Yaltron with sulphurous springs similar to those of Edipsos, a Roman bath was found. At the coastal site of Herronisi of Hellini, remains of a wall from the Archaic and early Classical times. Perhaps an earl of Istiaea was here.
Marble Early Christian architectural members in second use in the later basilica of Agios Nikolaos suggest that an Early Christian basilica pre-existed in the area of Istiaea.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou