Yrtakina, built on the inaccessible hill "Kastri" near the village of Temenia Selinou, was a strong inland, independent power founded during the Archaic period and flourished during Hellenistic times. Together with Lissos, Hyrtakina puts at the beginning of the 3rd c. BC the foundations for the establishment of the Federation of Mountains, creating the first common monetary type between them. In the times of the Roman rule, Yrtakina seems to be going through a phase of decline, in contrast to the rest of the cities which are in particular prosperity, which continues during the following centuries.
In Yrtakina, the remains of a double fortification wall, which surrounded the city, are preserved. A section of the road that connected it to Lissos has been identified, which leads with steps to the southern entrance of the acropolis. A small excavation carried out in 1939 by V. Theofaneidis brought to light an outdoor sanctuary of Panos. The sanctuary, which dates from the Hellenistic years to the 1st century BC, it was found on the eastern ledge of the wall, between the north and south entrances of the acropolis and was 22.70 m long and about 6 m wide.
Demeter was also worshiped in the city, while an inscription mentions a temple of Hera. The remains of houses and public buildings are visible in the walled area.
On the slopes of the hill outside the walled area, there are several carved chamber-shaped and box-shaped tombs, violated from ancient times.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis