As in all the GreekIslands, Evia also hides a still unsolved mystery, the Drakospita.

Already the nameinspires that I don’t know what of darkness, its meaning in factmeans “the house of the dragon”. Throughout the Evia island there are at least twenty five but the best known is the one ata height of 1398 meters just below the top of Mount Ochi. We arelocated in the center of the island on the west side near the Styra village in the area of Karystos.

It is difficult to givean age to these strange constructions, it is estimated that they werebuilt between the XIII and the III century BC or that they date backto the archaic or Roman age given the discovery of some ceramics nowconserved in the Karystos Museum, but of no certainties yet. Thereason for the appearance is still shrouded in doubt, some say theywere places of worship, others a sort of lighthouse towers, otherguard posts or shelters for the workers who took care of quarryinggiven that the area is renowned for providing the precious gray greenmarble of Karystos, and finally given the similarity with the Cretan”mitata” for the production of cheese, in short, this toois an enigma. In fact today they are used by the locals as sheepfolds

According to Greekmythology, Hera the wife of Zeus grew up in Evia and the God of Godswhen he noticed her for the first time, not remembering that she washer sister among other things, wanted to conquer her to make her her.As always, she devised the trick of disguise by becoming a frightenedand trembling little bird on the top of the mountain. Hera, pityingthe poor animal, picked it up and brought it to her chest to warm itup and it was at that moment that Zeus revealed his true form and herlustful intentions. At that point Hera opposed it and made it acondition for granting herself the bond of marriage before her byexclaiming a mythical “No” in Greek “Οχι” andhence the name of the mountain. Zeus still inexperienced on the painsof love agreed. Following the prehistoric tribes Curetes, began therites dedicated to the sacred wedding of the Olympians.

The Drakospitafascinating megalithic structures located in wonderful places in themountains with magnificent views, have a rectangular shape and areformed by massive stones with a roof of very heavy gray limestoneslabs superimposed and inclined as multi level tiles and with apyramidal shape, the walls opposites converge to each other. Thewhole is not tied with materials such as mud or concrete, they aresupported by their own weight. Other details are the jambs andarchitraves as well as stone shelves that protrude from the walls.Given their grandeur, it is still not possible to understand how itwas possible for a human being to build such heavy structures of thissize, think that they are 5x10m large, the walls are 1.5 meters thickand the door slab is 4 meters long. meters, 2 wide and 30 centimetersthick with a weight of ten tons. The question arises how they werelifted off the ground?

Also according to Greekrumors, such jobs could only be done by dragons. The Greeks claimedthat dragons lived on the mountains inside caves or towers. In thelegends they are described as humanoids of enormous appearance withsupernatural forces and usually evil to people but capable ofbuilding titanic works.

Not all dragon housesare easy to reach, it would always be better to rely on an expertguide as they are located in mountainous and inaccessible areas wheregetting lost is a moment and finding your way back is quitedifficult. Of course, appropriate clothing is also required withshoes suitable for trekking and long trousers.

Thedragonguests have an elongated hole in the center of the facade, asort of window to let in the light. When the fog envelops themountain, it looks like a smoking dragon’s jaw as it comes out of thefissure and through the gap.

The excursion to Mount Okiwith a visit to the dragon houses is a very beautiful experience, thearea is part of the Natura 2000 project and offers intact nature madeup of rare flora and wild fauna. Along the way you will be inebriatedby the scent of thyme and wild tea, you will meet centuries-oldchestnut trees. A must is a stop at the chapel of the Prophet Elijahright on the cliff where you will be amazed by the breathtaking view.

If you are a borndiscovery and you are interested in enchanted places and not just sealife, a visit to the Drakospita can be a valid alternative to putamong the things to do and see in Evia.