The "Dragon Houses" of Euboea, believed to date back to ancient Greece's Preclassical period, remain one of history's most intriguing unsolved mysteries.
Located in the mountains of Euboea, the second-largest Greek island after Crete, these 23 megalithic structures, known as drakospita or "dragon houses," can be found primarily in the Ochi Mountain and Styra regions. Despite their name, the structures have no connection to dragons but are admired for their architectural design, simplicity, and resilience.
These mortar-free constructions, resembling the stepped pyramid of Djoser in Egypt and the pre-Columbian Teotihuacan temples, are made of large stones, often square or rectangular, with some using massive monolithic blocks. Remarkably, these buildings lack foundations, and their roofs are ingeniously constructed using enormous stone slabs arranged in a pyramidal pattern.
One of the most notable drakospita is situated on Mount Ochi at an altitude of 1,386 meters (4,547 feet), on a small plateau between the mountain's twin peaks.
Though little is known about the drakospita, the number of these megalithic structures on the island is higher than expected. Researchers are continually awed by the sheer size and weight of the stones, such as one monolithic slab set atop two massive post stones to create a gateway. The method of lifting and placing these enormous stones and the reason for constructing the buildings remains a mystery.
In addition to their unusual construction, the dragon houses' location is notable. They seem strategically positioned for long-range observation of the surrounding landscape. Particularly striking is the drakospito on Mount Ochi, which is placed at an impressive height. Moving these large stones from lower elevations to high altitudes required advanced techniques.
Another fascinating aspect of these structures is the Pantheon-like aperture in their roofs, which likely let in natural sunlight or moonlight, illuminating the interiors.
The drakospito on Mount Ochi was first discovered by English geographer and geologist John Hawkins (1758-1841), who initially believed it was an ancient temple. Later studies measured the structure’s orientation, aligning it with the azimuth of sunset and moonrise. Researchers have suggested that a Sirius-rise orientation, dating back to around 1100 BC, points to the possibility that these buildings had a religious or astronomical purpose.
Locals have long believed that the drakospita were used as farmhouses, shelters, or military structures. According to ancient traditions, the word "dragon" referred not only to the mythical creature but also to individuals of great strength or superhuman power, which has led some to speculate that the structures are linked to the ancient Greek gods.
Among the most impressive are the three drakospita near Styra, known as Pálle-Lákka Dragò, but none rival the grandeur of the drakospito on Mount Ochi.
Archaeological excavations, including work conducted by Professor Nikolaos K. Moutsopoulos in the 1960s and 1980s, have uncovered artifacts such as pottery, animal bones, and inscriptions but have failed to provide definitive answers. Some potsherds contained inscriptions in an unknown script, further deepening the mystery.
Until more is discovered, referring to these ancient structures as “abodes of the supernatural” seems fitting, as their true purpose and creators remain elusive.
Cover Photo: Wikiwand
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