Ακροπολη Αρχαιας Τιρυνθας

Acropolis of Ancient Tiryns

Useful Information

Location:	Peloponnese 211 00. North of Nafplio, south of Argos, Argolis, Peloponnese. (37.600436, 22.798748)
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Bibliography:	Eberhard Zangger (1994): Landscape changes around Tiryns during the Bronze Age American Journal of Archaeology 98.2 (1994): 189-212 researchgate DOI Heinrich Schliemann (1885) Tiryns: The prehistoric palace of the kings of Tiryns, the results of the latest excavations Charles Scribner's Sons, London, 1885 pdf
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History

1999	inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

view south from Tyrins to Nafplio. Descend to the casemates.

Τίρυνς or Τίρυνθα (Tiryns) is a Mycenaean archaeological site on the Peloponnese, located 20 km south of Mycenae. The full name is thus Μυκηναϊκή Ακρόπολη Τίρυνθας (Mycenean Acropolis of Tiryns). According to ancient Greek legends, the mythical hero Heracles started his Twelve Labours here. Tiryns was a hill fort which was occupied since 7,000 BP, in other words it was inhabited before the beginning of the Bronze Age, during the Neolithic. But its heydays were between 1400 and 1200 BC, at this time it was one of the most important centers of the Mycenaean world. It had a population of 10,000 people and covered 20–25 hectares, this fortified hill was the center, the citadel or acropolis. The hill had a massive wall which was constructed of huge blocks, which is why Homer called the city "mighty walled Tiryns". But the reason why we list this site on showcaves.com is obviously underground: the fortress has Cyclopean tunnels.

The most spectacular part of the ruins are the walls, because the lower part of the walls survived all around the hill. Up to 7 m of the wall can be seen, the original height was probably 9–10 m. They are normally 6 meters thick, but at some points they are up to 17 m thick. These are the places where tunnels pass through the wall. Those masonry tunnels served as a refuge for the inhabitants of the lower city in times of danger.