ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF MYCENAE

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999, this site (Αρχαιολογικό Χώρο Μυκηνών/Archaiologiko Choro Mykinon) is home to the remains of the prestigious city that gave its name to the Mycenaean civilization. Founded around 1550 BC, Mycenae was abandoned around 1200 BC. Its ruins stand in an austere rocky valley, atop a 280 m-high hill framed by the Profitas Ilias (750 m) and Zara (660 m) mountains. The acropolis retains its imposing "Cyclopean" walls, said by the ancient Greeks to have been built by the Cyclops. Built from 1350 BC onwards, the wall is made up of huge, perfectly-fitted blocks of stone (hard breccia), 5 to 8 m thick. Entrance is via the emblematic Lioness Gate (c. 1250 BC), 14.80 m high. Above a monolithic lintel weighing 52 tons is a bas-relief carved from a triangular block weighing 20 tons and standing 4.5 m high. It depicts a column framed by two lionesses (or lions) with their front paws resting on the base of the column. The heads, probably in bronze, have been lost. This is the only known monumental Mycenaean sculpture, and its interpretation is the subject of much debate. However, lions and lionsettes were frequently used by the Mycenaeans to symbolize the union of two royal families or to ensure the protection of a site.

Circular tomb and palace. Shortly after the gate, below on the right, lies "Funerary circle A" (^16th century BC): a 27.5 m-diameter structure, formerly underground and topped by a dome, which housed six tombs and 19 dignitaries' remains. It was here, in 1878, that German archaeologist Schliemann claimed to have discovered the famous gold death mask known as "Agamemnon's". The path then leads to the top of the acropolis, where the remains of the royal palace can still be seen: the 18-step grand staircase, the circular foyer of the throne room and the adjoining terraced rooms. Below, to the east, the craftsmen's quarter preserves the foundations of dwellings and workshops, as well as a staircase leading down to a cistern. The path then returns north to the ticket office and museum, passing along a second fortified gate. Finally, near the museum is the Tomb of the Lions (c. 1450 BC): a burial chamber 14 m in diameter, formerly underground, accessible via a dromos (corridor) 22 m long.