Greece - Orraon

Orraon (also Horraon or Horreum) was founded in the 4th century B.C. In 167 B.C. the settlement was destroyed by the Romans, but it was subsequently rebuilt and survived for a short period. In 37 B.C. the town had one hundred houses, twelve streets, and a graveyard. Orraon was abandoned by its people. Its inhabitants were forced to settle in Nikopolis, a nearby city founded by Augustus after his victory in the navel battle of Actium at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf.

In Orraon most of the houses are still standing, sometimes even two stories high and the street plan is still visible".The town had twelve narrow parallel streets, in the north and south direction, cross two wider streets. The settlement consisted of 100 houses, built of local limestone. The main parts that are visible today are the stone the houses were made of, window frames and door frames. The cistern (PiP5) was located near the main gate.

Orraon is located quite remote and during our visit there we were totally alone. It was very pleasant to walk around among these old houses, surrounded by a colourful landscape with lots of wild flowers.