Pheia, Ancient harbor city in Agios Andreas, Greece
Pheia was an ancient harbor city positioned on an isthmus that offered two natural ports for maritime trade and defense. The archaeological remains spread across the coastal settlement of Agios Andreas and extend upward to the medieval Pontikokastro fortress ruins on the hilltop.
The city served as a strategic base for the Athenian navy during the Peloponnesian War in the early stages of the conflict. A massive tsunami triggered by an earthquake in 551 destroyed the settlement, burying it beneath the sea.
Excavations here have uncovered marble figures from the Bronze Age and statues from the late Archaic period, revealing the artistic skills of the ancient inhabitants. These discoveries suggest the site was home to a community that valued craftsmanship and artistic expression.
The site is best explored on foot, as remains are scattered across both the shoreline and the elevated terrain. Wear sturdy footwear and expect uneven ground in many areas.
Extensive underwater remains preserved by the 551 tsunami provide archaeologists with remarkable insights into how people lived in this ancient port city. These submerged finds offer a rare window into daily routines that would otherwise remain hidden.
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