THE ACROPOLIS OF AKRAIFIA
The acropolis of ancient Akraifia is south of the village of Akraifnio on Skopia Hill. A section of the 4th century BC defences have survived, as well as a pentagonal tower with a gate. Ancient building material and inscriptions can be found in the walls of the church of Agios Georgios. It has not been excavated except for the small dig by Y. Garlan, which was published in the Bulletin de Correspondance Hellenique, in 1974.
SANCTUARY OF APOLLO PTOIOS
The sanctuary of Apollo Ptoios is three kilometres east of Akraifnio, on Pelagia Mountain. The sanctuary was independent of Thebes, and was already famous during Antiquity (7th century BC). The last temple built on the site dates from the end of the 4th century BC.
It consists of the temple (Archaic and then Hellenistic) around which there were devotional kouroi and tripods.
At the lower levels there were arcades, accommodation, a large cistern, and the spring from which the prophecies came.
There was an oracle in the area, which was known throughout Boeotia. Every five years, a music competition called the Ptoia was organised. This competition was combined with religious ceremonies and sacrifices. Kouroi, copper votive offerings, vases, dishes, and many figurines dedicated to the god Apollo have been found.
SANCTUARY OF THE HERO PTOUS
The neighbouring sanctuary of the Hero Ptous on Kastraki was founded in the 6th century BC by the city of Akraifia, and was abandoned at the end of the 4th century BC. A sacred way, lined with two rows of copper tripods, connected the city to the sanctuary.
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