Description of the attraction
12 km from Argos is the village of Midea, over which rises a hill with the ruins of the once magnificent Mycenaean acropolis. Researchers consider it the third most important and well-fortified acropolis of Argolis after Mycenae and Tiryns, as well as a significant administrative and economic center. The citadel, built on a hilltop at an altitude of 270 m above sea level and located between Mycenae and Tiryns, was considered a strategically important site. The panoramic view from the top of the hill provided control over the entire valley and bay.
In the construction of this acropolis, as in Mycenae and Tiryns, the so-called cyclopean masonry was used, which is a construction of huge boulders. Interestingly, no binder solution was used in such structures. The ancient Greeks attributed buildings with such masonry to the Cyclops, which is where the name "Cyclopean" may have come from.
The first significant excavations were carried out in 1939 by the Swedish archaeologist Axel Persson. The circular cyclopean wall covers an area of 24,000 square meters. and protects the upper acropolis and lower terraces of the northwest and northeast slopes. On the southern side, the acropolis is protected by a steep rock, so additional fortification was not required here. The Acropolis has two gates located opposite each other in the western and eastern parts of the fortification. The eastern gate was the main entrance and led to the Upper Acropolis, located on a rocky area. Today the eastern gate has been cleared of rubble and appears before us as a wide gap in the wall. The western gate led to the Lower Acropolis with its terraces. Near the entrance was a room that was probably used as a guardhouse and storage room. Also on the territory of the Lower Acropolis, a large rectangular structure (megaron) was discovered. The Acropolis was equipped with a drainage system with built-in piping and underground reservoirs.
At the end of the 13th century BC. as a result of the earthquake, the fortress wall and all the structures of the acropolis were severely damaged. During excavations in different parts of the acropolis, remains of skeletons (victims of an earthquake) were found, crushed by huge stones. The citadel was rebuilt after the destruction and was used in the 12th century BC.
During the excavations of the acropolis of Midea, many valuable and interesting artifacts were found: ceramics, bronze items, fragments of frescoes, seals, weapons, jewelry, various stone and metal items, utensils, etc.
