An “unknown” ancient Greek city that experienced great economic and cultural prosperity is located in Aitoloakarnania, 4 km west of the current village of Katochi Messolonghi, on the hill of Trikardos or Trikardokastro.

It is about Oiniades, the ruins of which are preserved in very good condition and impress the visitor who will “discover” it.

The ancient Oenias experienced great prosperity especially until the Hellenistic years, while at that time they were the second strongest city of Akarnan after Stratos.

The city was built on the north bank of the Achelous River – a strategic position from which both the entrance to the Gulf of Patras and the sea artery between Akarnania and the islands of Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefallonia were controlled.

At the same time, as it was located near the mouth of Acheloos – it was in a position suitable for the creation of a port (center photo) and for commercial activity.

oiniades

The shipyard – a special monument of the area and one of the most imposing of antiquity due to its very good preservation

Mythology

According to tradition, a king called Tricardos lived in the castle on the hill. This king had a beautiful son, who was named Aniliagos, because he was never to be seen by the Sun.

When Aniliagos became king, he met and loved Kyra-Rini, who lived in her tower in Pleurona (an ancient city of Aetolia) and visited her every night, but always left before dawn.

drunkards

The ancient theater with 23 rows of seats. Some stones of the lower row of seats have engraved inscriptions in ancient Greek script that have been read

Kyra-Rini was according to one version the wife of Andronikos Palaiologos and according to another version she was the daughter of Alexios III Comnenus.

Kyra-Rini, therefore, because King Aneliagos did not tell her why he always leaves so early in the morning, became jealous that there might not be another woman in his life, and one night she decided to deceive him.

So he slaughtered all the roosters in the tower, as a result of which Aniliagos did not perceive the dawn and the threatening arrival of the sun, as a result of which he did not wake up in time, stayed up late and faced the sun in the river. And King Aniliagos was extinguished forever…

Sources: iaitoloakarnania.gr, efaaitl.gr