Gitana was the second, and one of the most important, capitals and political centers of Ancient Thesprotia, a region in Epirus, Northwestern Greece.
It has now become one of the major cities of the Epirus Cultural Route, the very first holistic route in Europe, designed by the Region of Epirus and the Diazoma organization.
The city was strategically built on the southwest slope of the Vrysella hill overlooking the valley of the Kalamas River (ancient Thyamis). This gave it control over river traffic and access to both the fertile plain and the Ionian Sea.
It served as the seat of the Koinon of the Thesprotians, and its foundation dates to the mid-4th century BC (around 335–330 BC). This coincided with a period of flourishing for the Thesprotians and the annexation of the surrounding area.
The city was constructed according to the Hippodamian system, an organized grid plan with parallel main roads (4–6m wide) crossed by narrower perpendicular streets.
Fortifications of Gitana
The city was protected by a robust fortification system of polygonal masonry walls, which followed the contours of the hill. The circuit of these walls, supported by towers, is approximately 2,500 meters long. The river offered natural protection on three sides.
At its peak, the city covered an area of about 280 acres and is estimated to have had a population of around 6,000 residents.
Archaeological findings
The ruins reflect the city’s status as a major political, administrative, and economic hub in the Ionian region.
The theatre is one of the most remarkably preserved structures. It was built around the mid-3rd century BC just outside the city walls.
The cavea (seating area) had a maximum diameter of 65 meters with 28 rows of benches, accommodating approximately 4,000 spectators.
Intriguingly, the stone seats in the lower tiers bear inscriptions of names, which may denote reserved seating for notable citizens (e.g., ‘Socrates’ and ‘Alexandros’).
Excavations in the Prytaneion (the administrative and religious center) uncovered thousands of clay sealings (stamps used on letters and documents). Two of these bear the inscription ‘ΓΙΤΑΝΑ’ (GITANA), confirming the site’s identity.
Evidence suggests a relatively luxurious standard of living, reflected in the quality of the public buildings, preserved in situ marble and stone thresholds (which once held large double doors), and the richness of the movable finds like coins and seal impressions.
Destruction
Gítana’s flourishing period ended abruptly when it was captured and destroyed by the Romans in 167 BC during the Third Macedonian War. According to the historian Livy, Gítana was one of approximately seventy cities in Epirus that were simultaneously razed to the ground by the Romans, leading to its eventual abandonment.
The archaeological site remains under excavation and restoration, providing valuable insight into the history of the ancient Epirote tribes.
Related: Epirus Trail: The Greek Mountain Adventure of Culture, History and Beauty
