Ancient Asine

Its name will always remind us of the lyrics of the verses of Nobel laureate poet Giorgos Seferis. Asine was directly connected with the sea. Its inhabitants engaged in transit trade among the palace of Mycenae, the palace of Tiryns, the palace of Midea, in Argolis, and the centres in the Mediterranean.

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"...The sun rose in the sky bearing its shield and waging war
and from the cave depths a terrified bat
struck the light like a point of a spear on a shield:
"And Asine and Asine...” Would that this were the king of Asine
for whom we searched so attentively in this acropolis
touching sometimes with our fingers his touch upon the stones..."

​​​​​​"The king of Asine” by Nobel laureate poet Giorgos Seferis is the last poem of the collection Log Book I, written in 1938-1940, when he was on vacation in the area. Through this excellent poem, the name of the ancient city became part of our collective memory. 
The first reference to Asine is encountered in Homer. According to Homer, Asine, Argos, Tiryns, Epidaurus and other cities in Argolis participated in the Trojan War with a great number of ships. 

The acropolis of Asine is built on a rocky hill, 52 meters high, bathed in seawater and sunlight. However, in its recent history, it wasn;t treated fairly, since, during the German-Italian occupation, the hill was converted into a fortress, which resulted in the destruction of ancient remainders. 
Fortunately, from 1922 to1930, the Swedish Archaeological Mission implemented an ambitious excavation project, bringing to light a “complex mosaic” of multiple phases of habitation, reflecting the history of the area over more than 3,000 years.
The Greek Archaeological Service and the Swedish Archaeological Institute continued the excavations from 1970 onwards, and later, the visitable archaeological site was created. In the excavation area of Kato Poli, there is a chapel dedicated to Holy Mary.
The settlements discovered on the hill of Asine date back to Early Helladic, Middle Helladic, Mycenaean, Geometric, Archaic and Hellenistic Age. The corresponding cemeteries were also found, as well as the important Mycenaean necropolis of Barbouna. The walls of the acropolis with the large tower date back to the Hellenistic era (3rd century BC), and the acropolis was built in the Byzantine era.

Asine was a city directly connected with the sea. Its inhabitants engaged in transit trade among the palace of Mycenae, the palace of Tiryns and the palace of Midea, in Argolis, and the centres in the Mediterranean. 
Findings from the excavations, such as vessels and a lot of grave goods, indicating the relations of Asine with centres in the Aegean and in Creta, are hosted in the Archaeological Museum of Nauplion. Others are exhibited in Sweden. 
Among the findings you’ll see in the museum, a clay mask stands out, considered to be the "Lord of Asine”. 
Read more details on the website of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolis and on the website of the Municipality of Nauplion. 

Did you know that

The Kastraki peninsula lies between Tolos Bay, just 500 m away, and the great beach of Plaka of Drepanon. The beach next to the archaeological site is quiet, with crystal clear waters. 

On the archaeological site, there is an exhibition on the history and methodology of excavations, and a multimedia room, where digital tour applications are presented. The exhibition spaces are completed by material on the German-Italian Occupation in Argolis, in the interior of an artificial cave at the base of the acropolis rock.

Ancient Asine is 9 km away from Nauplio and 140 km away from Athens.

Tel.: 27520 58101. Free entrance.   

Location

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