Archaeological Site of Longos

The Lower City of ancient Edessa was built at the Archaeological Site of Loggos, at the foot of the Rock of the present city.

Along with the Acropolis on the rock, it was organized as a city around the end of the 4th century BC, at a strategic point where the Egnatia Odos, a road connecting Constantinople with the Adriatic coast, passed.

The archaeological site, which is open to visitors, reveals the urban fabric of the ancient state, with fortified gates, tall towers, the paved main street, as well as public buildings such as the warehouse (“Orion”), religious and educational buildings, residences, workshops and shops.

As the region is characterized by an abundance of water resources, ancient Edessa had a secure water supply and irrigation of its crops, while the water supply and sewage system was particularly well organized.

The ancient city was abandoned at the beginning of the 7th century AD and the inhabitants were moved to the citadel for protection from raids.