The ancient port of Cenchreae

Over the years, the site has seen its fair share of earthquakes and subsidence. As a result, the water level has risen two meters and the harbour breakwaters are now submerged in the sea. The Roman buildings are visible at sea level, and the ancient and classical buildings are underneath them.

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The excavations. Over the years, the site has seen its fair share of earthquakes and subsidence. As a result, the water level has risen two meters and the harbour breakwaters are now submerged in the sea. The Roman buildings are visible at sea level, and the ancient and classical buildings are underneath them.

The harbour has intrigued archaeologists since the 1960s when The American School of Classical Studies organised the first in a long line of archaeological excavations at the site. They spent 5 years here, and partially excavated the ruins. Archaeologists have also found a wealth of interesting objects here, and have uncovered Roman warehouses, shops and public buildings, as well as temples dedicated to Aphrodite and to the Egyptian god Isis and an Early Christian Basilica.

More recently, technology has “come to the rescue” and in 2012 the Danish Institute at Athens worked with the local archaeological service on underwater research, excavations and digital impressions of the ruins. An EU-sponsored project has also been under way since 2020, with the Corinth Ephorate of Antiquities carrying out work in the ancient port. There are also plans afoot to connect the harbour here to Lechaeum, the ancient harbour at Corinth, and to the Diolkos, a paved pathway which acted as a short cut for boats in much the same way that the Corinth Canal does in modern times.

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The Roman cemetery

If you are visiting the ancient port at Cenchreae, it is well worth heading for the low coastal ridge to the north of the harbour where you will find an impressive Roman cemetery. This is not an official archaeological site so you are free to wander round and look at the underground chamber tombs (cut into the rock) and the cist graves. We can tell that there was an important settlement in the area during Roman and early Christian times as these graves date from the 1st to the 7th century A.D. The graveyard was discovered by the Hellenic Archaeological Service, and the American School of Classical Studies has been carrying out detailed research here since 2002.

Location

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