Λεπτομέρειες σημείου ενδιαφέροντος

Oiniades was an ancient state that flourished until the Hellenistic years and was the second most powerful city of Akarnania after Stratos.

The ancient city of Oiniades was built on the north bank of the river Achelous and 4 km west of the current village of Katochi. It held a strategic position from which it controlled both the entrance to the Gulf of Patras and the sea highway between Acarnania and the islands of Lefkada, Ithaca and Cephalonia.

At the same time, it was located near the mouth of the Achelous and therefore in a position suitable for the creation of a port and for commercial activity. For these reasons it experienced great economic and cultural prosperity.

The area has always been overgrown with grapevines, but also day vines that were cultivated in large areas with the wine of the Occupation being famous. Although its name indicates a place or area of ​​wine production, yet another version wants to bear the name of the king of Calydon, Oineas, known from the legend of the Caledonian boar, as well as the dispute between Calydon and Pleuron.

Thus, the opinion has prevailed that the Oiniades received this name many years later in honor of this glorious King and because the locals and the surrounding area recognized the antiquity of the stone structures and walls that they completed from time to time.

The fortification dominates a hill overgrown with oaks, which has been known as Trikardos since at least the 15th century. Its preservation is impressive and is one of the most characteristic examples of ancient fortification art.

At the top of the hill is the Acropolis with a separate enclosure. The walls, about 2.60 m wide, with a maximum surviving height of 6 m and a perimeter of about 6.5 km, are built along their entire length according to the polygonal system. A separate fortification includes its port and its new fortifications, the so-called "fortification or citadel of the port".

It includes twelve gates and gates of different types with the most remarkable type of arched gate. As for the towers, some were built according to the polygonal system and others according to the pseudo-isodome trapezoidal shape. This element of the coexistence of a polygonal wall with towers of polygonal and pseudo-isodomic trapezoidal masonry is found in most of the fortifications of Acarnania.

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Photo Source: messolonghibylocals.com