Gitana (Filiates municipality) was founded in 336/330 BC, when the seat of the Koinon of the Thesprotians was transferred there from Elea. Built on the slope of mt Vrysella, the city was surrounded, on three of its sides, by river Thyamis (Kalamas). From this privileged location, it controlled the exit of the river to the sea. The river was most probably navigable in Antiqity, at least from its estuaries up to the area of Gitana- a fact that must have contributed to the city’s prosperity.

That settlement was surrounded by a strong polygonal wall; reinforced with towers. On the interior, a strong partition wall divided the city into two large residential sectors, the eastern and western ones. Communication between the two sectors was insured through gates.

Gitana is built on an organized urban plan and road network (Hippodamian urban system), which was based on a grid with parallel roads, 4-6m wide, that are vertically tranversed by 2-3m wide roads. Inbetween the roads, building insulae and complexes are defined, both public and private.

The city’s public life was concentrated in the Agora, the Prytaneion and the Theatre, where the meetings of the Koinon were held.

Bibliography

Σ. Ι. Δάκαρης, Θεσπρωτία, Αθήνα 1972.

Αικ. Κάντα-Κίτσου, Γίτανα Θεσπρωτίας. Αρχαιολογικός Οδηγός, Αθήνα 2008.