Nestled in the rugged landscape of Epirus lies one of classical antiquity’s best-kept secrets—and remarkably, one of its best-preserved treasures. On the hill of Kastrí, at an elevation of 345 meters between the regions of Arta and Preveza, stands Orraon, the legendary city of the Molossians. This ancient settlement boasts what is considered the best-preserved private house from classical Greece.
A Glimpse into Classical Living
Once a thriving town of the Molossians—a powerful Epirote tribe—Orraon still holds remnants of its glorious past. Today, four buildings from the late Classical period remain standing: three private residences and what is believed to be a public structure. Astonishingly, their stone walls rise to the height of the second-story roofs, offering a rare and vivid glimpse into ancient Greek domestic architecture.
Orraon is thought to have been founded in the second half of the 4th century BCE, strategically positioned to guard a key passage from the Ambracian Gulf to the Molossian interior. Though it was a relatively small settlement—with around 100 homes—it was well fortified. The houses, along with the impressive double stone wall that protected the town, were all built from local limestone.
Sophisticated Urban Planning
The town’s water system reveals just how advanced its infrastructure was. With its main spring located outside the city walls, the settlement relied heavily on a large rainwater cistern built within the city. Even by modern standards, this public water reservoir is a marvel of engineering. Visitors can still descend the 19 stone steps that lead to the cistern’s base—an experience that brings the ingenuity of ancient public works to life.
A Rare Architectural Treasure
No other place in Greece offers such well-preserved examples of private homes from this era. The two-story residences of Orraon provide a unique window into the domestic life of classical Greeks—something seldom found elsewhere in the country.
Given its elevated location, Orraon overlooked the Ambracian Gulf and the Arta plain, making it impossible for anyone to pass unnoticed. Its strategic importance was key to the defense and control of the region.
A City Tied to Royal Legacy
Orraon also has ties to one of antiquity’s most famous figures. Olympias, the mother of Alexander the Great, was born in nearby ancient Passaron in 373 BCE and is believed to have spent much of her youth in Orraon—connecting this stone-clad settlement to the heart of ancient Greek history.
For those fascinated by the classical world, a visit to Orraon is a journey back in time—one that reveals not just ruins, but a living impression of how ancient Greeks once built, lived, and thrived.
📽️ Watch the full video by n.p. production to explore the site further.
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