THE ANTIQUITIES IN THE PENINSULA OF METHANA
Past excavations brought to light a plethora of findings scattered throughout the peninsula of Methana. Some of these are:
Palaiokastro hill / Acropolis of Methana
On the hill of Palaiokastro there are the remains of the Ancient Acropolis of Methana, with its well preserved volcanic rock walls and well preserved gate, dated back to the Peloponnesian War. From findings it appears that the area was first inhabited during the Neolithic period (5000 BC). The few excavations in the Acropolis unearthed fragments of Mycenaean pottery. Visible remains of ancient buildings can be found at the bottom of the sea, such as the sunken city of Methana, including the pier of the ancient port. Amongst the undersea ruins, there are Byzantine churches. According to archaeologists, the ancient town of Methana had about 700 houses.
Archaeological site of St. Constantine & Helen
On the hill where the small chapel of St. Constantine & Helen is located, there is another remarkable archaeological site, only 1.5 klm away from Methana town. A prehistoric Mycenaean settlement (14th- 13th century BC) have been discovered in 1990 at the foundations of the small chapel of St. Constantine & Helen. In one of the houses of the settlement the arcaeologists found tributes (figurines and jewelery). The house had to have been a place for deity worship, and possibly Neptune. The excavation findings are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus.
Throni
Over Megalochori village extends the known plateau of Throni . there lies the largest terrestrial crater of the volcano of Methana. Also a stone throne was there at the beginning of the last century, whose pieces were transferred and accommodated in Poros's Museum. We can still meet at the plateau a well-preserved tower of the 4th century BC and an olive mill ruins of the 3rd century BC.
Antiquities on the peak of Chelona (tortoise) mountain
From Megalochori there is a cobblestone dirt path which leads to a Byzantine Church named "Panagitsa", after one hour walking and at an altitude of 550 meters. After another hour we reach the uninhabited village of Panagitsa. Continuing on an uphill route we reach the highest peak of the mountain Chelona (740m), after hiking about 3.5 hours total. At the top there are round and rectangular cisterns, probably from the Byzantine era.
Antiquities in the valley of Stavrologos
The valley of Stavrologos is located in the center of the peninsula and it took its name by the many trail intersections leading to it. In this valley there is one of the oldest volcano craters on the peninsula and inside the olive grove we find the Ancient Tower, a well-preserved building of the 4th century BC with carved volcanic rocks and an impressive gateway.
Antiquities in Agios Nikolaos village
According to the ancient traveler Pausanias, in the Agios Nikolaos area had appeared thermal springs during the time of Antigonus Gonatas (277-240 BC), after the volcano explosion in Kameni village. There were thermal bathtubs and there are remainings of a roman cistern. Also there are antiquities at the location Magoula, west of Agios Nikolaos
Antiquities in Kipseli village (oldest name "Kosona")
Along the road leading to the coast, under the hill-crater of Kosona there are remainings of ancient paving. Also at the "Oga" hill, east of Kipseli, there are remainings of a Myceanean Acropolis and other antiquities. At the beach of Kipseli there are remainings of a classical ancient fortress with a temple in its inside.
Antiquities in Dritseika village
At the outskirts of Dritseika village there are ancient masonry debris of the the 4th century. Above the village's cemetary there are remainings of an old tower. Also an ancient inscription have been found, and the tombstone of Androcles (600 BC - Poros island Museum)
Antiquities on the islet of St. Anargyroi
The small island of St. Anargyroi can be seen from the port of Methana as it is very close to the entrance of the city, opposite "Vromolimni" location. On the island is the church of St. Anargyroi and some remains of an ancient fortification of the classical and archaic era. Under the church there are remains of the Cyclopean Walls of the 6th century. B.C.
Antiquities in the peninsula of Methana
Many antiquities discovered at Methana are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Poros and Piraeus, such as ancient epigrams, an inscribed pedestal of a bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, corinthian column capitals, ancient jewelery and clay idols of different people, a stone throne.
Also there are antiquities discovered at Methana and lie there such as many covered tombs and temples, cisterns and vessels.
(www.koutouzis.gr/methana.htm)