Demetrias

Demetrias is an ancient city in Volos Municipality that sits on a hillside overlooking the Pagasitikos Gulf, with visible sections of stone walls, theater structures, and residential areas still standing today. The site covers a significant area where archaeologists have uncovered layers of settlement and construction spanning several centuries of occupation.

Demetrios Poliorketes founded Demetrias in 294 BCE by merging several smaller settlements into one administrative center under Macedonian rule. The new city quickly became a major port and trading hub that served as a naval base for regional power.

The excavated artifacts from Demetrias demonstrate the integration of local traditions with Macedonian influences through pottery, coins, and architectural elements.

The site is accessible from Volos by local transport, with marked paths connecting the main excavated areas and helping visitors navigate the terrain. Bring water and sun protection since the hillside offers little shade throughout the day.

The ancient theater retains its original stone seating arrangement, allowing visitors to sit in the exact same spots where audiences gathered over 2,300 years ago to watch performances. This direct connection to the past makes the theater one of the most striking features of the entire site.