Ελληνικό Δίκτυο ΦΙΛΟΙ της ΦΥΣΗΣ
77
On the Way to Thebes (Eleusis -
Oinoi – Eleutheres – Platees)
Accessed by vehicle from Athens – Thebes Old National Road
Oinoi Tower
Only the NW side of the rectangular tower survives, rising 14 m. Its height, the embrasures and its
dominating position reveal the defensive character of the monument.
Eleutheres Fortress
“Exiting Eleusis towards Thebes,
the road disappears in a valley
full of vineyards and olives, before
reaching the passage of Kaza,
from where there one can see the
ruins of Eleuthera Fortress” writes
Lacarriere, following the old
traveler’s road.
Ancient Eleutheres was a city
said to have been founded by
the god Dionysus. The oldest
archaeological finds of the area
go back to Mycenaean times
(1200 BCE). It is alleged that
Athens’ tyrant Peisistratos (6 th
century BCE), took the ancient
wooden statue of the god from
Eleutheres to Athens, erecting
on the S. slope of the city the
Temple of Dionysus Eleuthereas.
In the 4 th century BCE, a strong
fortress was built on the hill
overlooking the settlement. In
recent times the fortress is often
referred to it as Gyftokastro –
Gypsies’ castle.
Oinoi Tower.