Ancient Aigeira

Ancient Aigeira, one of the prominent cities of the Achaean League, was built east of present-day Aigeira, and its central settlement was surrounded by strong fortification walls. According to historical references, the town was situated between Sikyon and Aigio, and stretched out at an altitude of 650m on the Paleokastro hill, overlooking the Corinthian Gulf and regions of Central Greece, across it, from a strategic position.
Excavated ceramic findings attest to its habitation as early as the 3rd millennium BC. Known as Hyperesii in the Homeric period, the town developed its central residential fabric as of 1250 BC, initially around the acropolis. It took its final name in the 7th century BC.
Ancient Aigeira experienced periods of great prosperity and was at its peak during the Hellenistic period. The most imposing building surviving to this day is the theater, dating to the 3rd century BC. With a horseshoe-shaped main theatre (called koilon), most of which was carved out into natural rock, this important monument commands an impressive view of the sea at an altitude of 350m, north of the acropolis. It featured a two-storey stage building, and its total capacity was close to 3000, with a length of 30m.