Aikaterinh Balla Source: C.E.T.I. © Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

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On the northwest of Stavroupolis and near the village of Komnina is a Macedonian tomb dating back to the Hellenistic times (200-150 BC).

The tomb is in pseudo-isodomic masonry of local marble and comprises an interior passageway, a vaulted roof, a rectangular antechamber and a square burial chamber. The three rooms bore rich architectural decorations, especially on the doorframes. The gate that separated the burial chamber consisted of two marble door leaves with sculptured decoration that was found broken in pieces and is now restored.

The burial chamber is 3.155 metres long and its width is equal to that of the antechamber. Inside the burial chamber are two marble beds forming an L-shape, having double pillows on every edge and bearing traces of painted decoration in encaustic technique on their feet.

There are traces of similar decoration with palmettes, spirals and other ornamentation on the upper part of the antechamber’s entrance, the doorframe of the burial chamber and the cymatia of the cornices that appear in both chambers. Monolithic pilasters are attached to the doors of both the antechamber and the chamber; their floors are paved with marble slabs of different shapes and sizes. The antechamber is 3.13 metres wide and 2.12 metres long. The coloured mortar revetment of the inner walls does not bear any decorative motifs.

Except from two small golden rings and some clay figurines, no other grave goods were found inside the tomb as it has been plundered. Among the four Macedonian tombs discovered so far in the region of Thrace, the Macedonian tomb at Stavroupolis constitutes one of the best-preserved and most impressive monuments. Now the tumulus has been fenced by the 19th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and the monument is accessible to visitors.