Greek Map

Asini

It is 10klm from Nafplio, build at a field with citrus trees. It is irrigated by the sea spring Anavalos. It has 1.279 residents.
During the Mikinean period, it was connected to Mikines and it was its port. Homer had reported that Asini had sent army to Trojan during the Trojan War.
The city was conquered by the Argeans in 740 AD (or in 700 AD) despite the heroic resistance of its citizens. The Argeans destroyed the whole city apart from the temple of Apollona. Its residents settled in Messinia and built there a new homonymous city.
During the Hellenistic period Asini in Argolida was rebuilt. It was also surrounded by a wall. In 1922 the excavations of the Swedish Archaeological Union of Athens revealed ruins of walls from the 2nd millennium and the 3rd century BC. Remains of an acropolis were discovered at the highest point of the peninsula. In addition, a graveyard of the Mikinean period and another one of the Geometrical period were discovered on the slopes of a hill. Many interesting things were found in the graves. The poet G. Seferis presents in a marvelous way the desolation of this ancient city in his poem "The King of Asini".

Sights :

• Asinis' ancient acropolis, which is imposing on the peak of a steep hill, one klm from Tolos. It was developed in the Mikinian, Progeometrical and Geometrical years. Homer was referred to this ancient city in Iliad whereas it was a source of inspiration for the Nobel-rewarded poet G. Seferi in one of his most sensational poems. Today only a few parts of the Prehistorically settlement as well as some towers are preserved. Mikinean, Hellenistic and Roman graves have also been discovered.

• The chapel of Jesus Christ in the north-west of Asini and of the prophet Elias on the peak of a hill. These chapels have interesting wall paintings.

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