Kisamos ancient city, Archaeological site in Kissamos, Greece

Kisamos ancient city lies beneath the modern town of Kastelli Kissamou, on the coastal plain at the head of Kissamos Bay. Rescue excavations since the 1970s have uncovered Roman houses with mosaic floors, several bath buildings, an aqueduct and the stone moles of the artificial harbour, much of which now sits on dry land. The street grid follows the Hippodamian plan, and traces of the earthquake of 365 AD are visible across the excavated areas.

The settlement was established as a Roman trading port and thrived as a commercial hub for several centuries. The town gradually declined as broader Mediterranean trade patterns shifted in late antiquity.

The name Kisamos survives in the modern town of Kissamos, whose archaeological museum holds the city's finds: mosaics, inscriptions and sculpture. Among the mosaics are a floor showing Orpheus and another depicting the marriage of Dionysos, both from a seven-room house. The museum also keeps a mosaic of the triumph of Dionysos, about 9.70 by 8.00 metres, with hunting scenes around it.

The site lies close to the modern town and features information panels explaining the layout and purpose of ancient structures. Comfortable footwear is recommended, and visiting in early morning or late afternoon hours provides better lighting for viewing the ruins.

A well-preserved Roman bath complex lies directly beneath the museum building, demonstrating how ancient structures have been incorporated into modern construction. This arrangement offers visitors a chance to see archaeological preservation in action.