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Ragio Tower: An impressive 18th-century tower house

Archaeological Site, Monument

Opening hours View Hours
Ragio, GR Get Directions

Ragio Tower was an impressive tower-house built in the 18th or early 19th century on the summit of a lush green hill, very close to the former estuary of the Kalamas River.

During ancient times, the hill bordered the sea and coastal marshes, while the flatlands around it were gradually formed over centuries, thanks to the river’s alluvial deposits.

At the heart of this compact ancient fortress, made of carefully constructed ashlar masonry walls, stands a large rock-cut water cistern with the ruins of a sanctuary (or, perhaps, a fountain) right next to it. Agha’s throne, a rectangular rock-cut feature of unknown use and origin, is located on one of the projecting rocks.

The tower-house, erected under Ottoman rule, served as a military watchtower as well as the local agha’s residence, with additional space for his guard. It was developed over three floors, with an entrance at the height of the first floor, only accessible by a portable wooden bridge for security reasons. It features battlements, as well as a machicolation – an opening that once facilitated the pouring of hot oil or water onto potential attackers.

Directions

Ragio, 46100
Igoumenitsa

Get directions

By car

15 minutes from Igoumenitsa

Opening hours

Summer hours

April 1 – October 31

Sat: 08:00 – 16:00

Winter hours

November 1 – March 31

The site is open to visitors by appointment.

Please schedule your visit by calling:
+30 26650 29177, +30 26650 29178

 

Last admission: 20 minutes before closing time



The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays:
January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.

Tickets

Full: €5.00
Reduced: €3.00

Admission is free on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, on October 28, as well as on the first and third Sunday of each month between November 1 and March 31.

Contact

Ephorate of Antiquities of Thesprotia
T: +30 26650 29177, +30 26650 29178
E: efathe@culture.gr

See also

Dymokastro: On the hunt for ancient Elina

Dymokastro
Archaeological Site

Doliani: Α continuously inhabited Thesprotian settlement

Doliani
Archaeological Site

Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa: Rediscovering the history of ancient Thesprotia

Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa
Museum

Gitana: At the epicenter of the Thesprotian League

General view of the archaeological site of Gitana
Archaeological Site
Hellenic Heritage
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