People in Greece are lucky for many reasons. One of which is the fact that a lot of them, if not the majority, are living in areas where Ancient Greeks lived. Ancient Horraon or Horreum or Orraon is one of the least known sites in Greece. However, this is one of the ancient sites with great historical value.
Once upon a time…
Horraon was founded in the 4th century B.C. while Alcetas I was king. According to primary sources, this is where Olympias with her son Alexander the Great went on voluntary exile when things got more tumultuous in 337 BC between her and Philip. That was the time that Philip married a noble Macedonian woman, Cleopatra, the niece of Attalus. And during a gathering after the marriage, Philip failed to defend Alexander’s claim to the Macedonian throne when Attalus threatened his legitimacy. This resulted in causing great tensions between Philip, Olympias, and Alexander.
This ancient site is located in the region of Epirus in Greece. Next to the village of Ammotopos. The locals call Ancient Horraon,”Kastri”.
Today…
This site, where the houses still stand and should be widely promoted by the Greeks for its historical significance, is rarely mentioned anywhere.
There are no signs on the main roads. Not a single sign on the very recently built highway, Ionia Odos.
Getting to Ancient Horraon
So if you want to find it and visit it… You have to make sure that you don’t expect signage anywhere. Just use your GPS and maps. The road to get to Horraon is easily driven without any danger. Actually, the site is visible from Ionia Odos if you know where to look for it.
Entering the site is free at all times. Surely there is a ticket box in the parking lot. But I honestly doubt a single person was ever sent there to issue tickets or just be present.
In 2020, when I visited for the first time it seemed abandoned. It gave me the impression that no one cared.
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Thankfully in 2021 things changed for the best.
Maybe because a team of Archaeologists and Architects from Germany have decided to visit and study the construction of the still-standing houses. The local authorities were “forced” in a way, or more, to make sure that the site was presentable. This video will offer you a glimpse of its uniqueness. But if you happen to be in the area or if you are a history buff you must visit it in person.
At the end of the day, who wouldn’t want to visit an ancient settlement where houses built in the 4th Century BC are still standing… Walk the same roads that Alexander the Great did… Enjoy the shade of the oak trees, the views of the plains, the landscape… Just make sure you go prepared with comfortable walking shoes, hats for the sun, and plenty of water especially if the visit is during the summer months. The main entrance is never locked. There is just a big stone placed at the bottom that you have just to push a bit to let the door open for you to enter. Just remember to close it again on your way out.
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