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Culture Archaeology Archaeological Sights Altars Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Prefecture of Xanthi Municipality of Avdera

View of the bishopric church of Poroi (9th - 10th century)
(Photo: Karasouri p.85)
View of the fortification at Poroi
(Photo: Paraskeuas Konortas)
Inscription on a vessel found at Poroi, dated back to the 10th - 11th century
(Photo: Asdracha- Bakirtzis Inscriptions, ðéí. 62)
View of the church of St. Nicholaos at Porto Lagos
(Photo: THRAKI - ETVA)

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Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
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28/11/2007
Porto Lagos

Aikaterinh Balla
Source: C.E.T.I.
© Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
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In the area of Vistonida lake, near the modern village of Porto Lagos, the excavations brought to light scant remnants of what probably was an ancient settlement. A 4th century inscribed funerary relief depicting an equestrian hero and two marble Doric capitals of the Hellenistic times are among the most noteworthy finds, although they may originate from the neighbouring city of Dikaia.

However, the most important finds of the area probably belong to Poroi, a Byzantine settlement with military, mercantile and fishery activities that had the control over the entrance in Vistonida lake, which at that time was connected to the sea.

A large section of the fortified enceinte of a length of 170 m was uncovered to the north of the settlement. It includes quadrilateral towers, buttresses and ascending flights of stairs on the outside. Ruins of a Byzantine church, probably the bishopric church of Poroi, were revealed within the enclosure, dating from the 9th – 10th centuries. A cemetery of the 12th -13th centuries was also excavated in the area around the Byzantine church and a reused stone lid of a Roman sarcophagus was found inside it. Of interest is an edifice of the early, cross-in-shape, inscribed style that was founded on the ruins of a probably Early Christian building. Architectural members from this Early Christian building are embedded in the walls of the bishopric church of Poroi as well as in the cistern of the church of St Nicholas, a metochion of Mount Athos, founded on a nearby islet, to the east.

A bronze cross-encolpion as well as fibulae and bronze coins were found in the area of Porto Lagos dating from the 4th century BC to the Byzantine times. There are also abundant pottery sherds, mostly of amphorae, which date to the late Roman and Early Christian times.