Drakospita Evia
As in all the Greek Islands, Evia also hides a still unsolved mystery, the Drakospita.
Already the name inspires that I don't know what of darkness, its meaning in fact means "the house of the dragon". Throughout the Evia island there are at least twenty five but the best known is the one at a height of 1398 meters just below the top of Mount Ochi. We are located in the center of the island on the west side near the Styra village in the area of Karystos.
It is difficult to give an age to these strange constructions, it is estimated that they were built between the XIII and the III century BC or that they date back to the archaic or Roman age given the discovery of some ceramics now conserved in the Karystos Museum, but of no certainties yet. The reason for the appearance is still shrouded in doubt, some say they were places of worship, others a sort of lighthouse towers, other guard posts or shelters for the workers who took care of quarrying given that the area is renowned for providing the precious gray green marble of Karystos, and finally given the similarity with the Cretan "mitata" for the production of cheese, in short, this too is an enigma. In fact today they are used by the locals as sheepfolds
According to Greek mythology, Hera the wife of Zeus grew up in Evia and the God of Gods when he noticed her for the first time, not remembering that she was her sister among other things, wanted to conquer her to make her her. As always, she devised the trick of disguise by becoming a frightened and trembling little bird on the top of the mountain. Hera, pitying the poor animal, picked it up and brought it to her chest to warm it up and it was at that moment that Zeus revealed his true form and her lustful intentions. At that point Hera opposed it and made it a condition for granting herself the bond of marriage before her by exclaiming a mythical "No" in Greek "Οχι" and hence the name of the mountain. Zeus still inexperienced on the pains of love agreed. Following the prehistoric tribes Curetes, began the rites dedicated to the sacred wedding of the Olympians.
The Drakospita fascinating megalithic structures located in wonderful places in the mountains with magnificent views, have a rectangular shape and are formed by massive stones with a roof of very heavy gray limestone slabs superimposed and inclined as multi level tiles and with a pyramidal shape, the walls opposites converge to each other. The whole is not tied with materials such as mud or concrete, they are supported by their own weight. Other details are the jambs and architraves as well as stone shelves that protrude from the walls. Given their grandeur, it is still not possible to understand how it was possible for a human being to build such heavy structures of this size, think that they are 5x10m large, the walls are 1.5 meters thick and the door slab is 4 meters long. meters, 2 wide and 30 centimeters thick with a weight of ten tons. The question arises how they were lifted off the ground?
Also according to Greek rumors, such jobs could only be done by dragons. The Greeks claimed that dragons lived on the mountains inside caves or towers. In the legends they are described as humanoids of enormous appearance with supernatural forces and usually evil to people but capable of building titanic works.
Not all dragon houses are easy to reach, it would always be better to rely on an expert guide as they are located in mountainous and inaccessible areas where getting lost is a moment and finding your way back is quite difficult. Of course, appropriate clothing is also required with shoes suitable for trekking and long trousers.
The dragonguests have an elongated hole in the center of the facade, a sort of window to let in the light. When the fog envelops the mountain, it looks like a smoking dragon's jaw as it comes out of the fissure and through the gap.
The excursion to Mount Oki with a visit to the dragon houses is a very beautiful experience, the area is part of the Natura 2000 project and offers intact nature made up of rare flora and wild fauna. Along the way you will be inebriated by the scent of thyme and wild tea, you will meet centuries-old chestnut trees. A must is a stop at the chapel of the Prophet Elijah right on the cliff where you will be amazed by the breathtaking view.
If you are a born discovery and you are interested in enchanted places and not just sea life, a visit to the Drakospita can be a valid alternative to put among the things to do and see in Evia.