#uniquedestinations
The most famous dragon houses (drakospita / δρακόσπιτα) in Greece are the dragon houses of South Evia. Among them, the dragon house near the village of Kapsala (Κάψαλα) is the most easily accessible in Greece.
What are dragon houses?
Typically, dragon houses are constructed from long, square stones that are stacked on top of one another without the use of any binders and supported only by their own weight. Smaller stones occupy the spaces between the larger ones. The corbelling system also indicates that the roof is composed of large stones. Their builders obviously knew a great deal about both the cyclopean technique and statics.
The people who lived near them and in many cases used them (mainly as animal shelters) admired their construction, believing that they were creations of mythical creatures, i.e., dragons. Therefore, they named them dragon houses.
The theory about dragon houses
The most common theory holds that the buildings are the work of Dryopes (Δρύοπες). The Dryopes were an ancient people who lived in Greece before the Greeks. There are mentions of them in Greek mythology. Moreover, there are references to them in Herodotus and Pausanias. Dryopes settled in 1,200 BC in the southern part of Evia after their expulsion from the area of Parnassos.
Dragon houses have recently been interpreted as buildings of religious significance for the worship of ancient Greek deities. However, some of them, according to earlier opinions, were considered farmhouses, shelters, or buildings of military use (outposts, guardhouses).
The dragon houses of South Evia
It is worth noting that the most famous of these cyclopean buildings are the so-called Dragons Houses of Ochi (Όχη) in the area of Karystos (Κάρυστος), as well as the Palli-Lakka Drago (Πάλλη-Λάκκα Δραγκό) complex near Styra (Στύρα). The first ones require a rather difficult climb up the mountain, while the second ones are located 3 kilometres outside of Styra, in an isolated location.
The dragon house of Kapsala
But apart from these, there is also the dragon house near the village of Kapsala. Six kilometres from Styra and on the main provincial road that leads to Karystos, you can see the sign “Δρακόσπιτο / Drakospito” at a bend. Next to the sign, there is a small parking space where you can leave your car.
Slate walls that mimic the contours of the surrounding terrain surround the main building’s area. Megalithic motifs adorn the building’s central entry, which opens into an interior courtyard. This inner courtyard may have been formed by a roof collapse. This leads to another door which takes you to a covered space with a sloping roof.
Inside the covered space there are stones that protrude from the masonry and were used to place objects. Additionally, in one of the walls there is also a small hole, probably for lighting during the day.
The building is constructed with the local stone of Karystos. The scholars cannot determine the date of its construction, with others placing it in the 12th century BC. and others in the 6th century BC. At the same time it is not possible to determine the purpose of its initial construction.
An unforgettable experience
The Dragon House of Kapsala is very easily accessible, and you can visit it at all hours of the day. You can walk around and inside it and admire its unique architecture, especially if you consider that it has never undergone any maintenance work. You will be amazed at the care with which the stones have been placed and the way the building is absolutely in harmony with the landscape and nature around. It seems to be an integral part of the mountain.
Also, from the point where it is located, you can admire the breathtaking view of the area up to the port of Nea Styra. A visit here will impress you and make it an unforgettable experience.
