The prehistoric Arcadic Orchomenos was founded at the foot of the
Acropolis, while during historic times Orchomenos was founded on the mountain
where its most important monuments (Agora, Theatre, etc) are also situated. At
the plain they have been identified artificial constructions for drainage and
for the redirection of rivers during prehistoric and later times (earthern bank
of Kaphyates).
At the beginning of the century, the French Archaeological School
at Athens under the direction of Mendel and others, excavated the monuments of
historic Orchomenos. During the last fifteen years the director of the Ephorate,
Theodoros Spyropoulos investigated and excavated the prehistoric tumuli and settlement
and the prehistoric drainage systems at the plain of Orchomenos.
The most important monuments of the site are:
•
The
ancient theatre of Early Hellenistic date (4th/3d century B.C.).
•The ancient Agora.
•The Bouleuterion
•The walls.
•The hekatompedon temple of Mesopolitidos Artemis
•The prehistoric tumulus Bridge of Archaic date Prehistoric settlement on
the site "Katalymata" and prehistoric drainage systems.
•Mycenaean settlement and ancient sanctuary on the site "Mytikas"
, Palaiopyrgos. Ancient sanctuary and early Christian Basilica situated between
Orchomenos and Palaiopyrgos Mantineias.
