Mycenaean geography

The geography of the region of Mycenae, i.e. the semi-mountainous area between Mycenae, Agionori, Agios Vasilios and Dervenakia, is dominated by two elements: the low mountain range of Nyfitsa and the tectonic, karstic or alluvial plains that surround it.

Of course, the villages, agricultural land and cultural sites of the area are more concentrated in the plains than on the mountainous regions. Thus, it makes sense to start describing the main components of the surrounding area, before moving on to the tricky chapter of the hinterland.

The obvious geography

Starting from the north, the main poles in the surroundings of the Mycenaean landscape’s core are the settlements of Klenia, Agios Vasilios and Chania, which are developed south of Chelimodi somewhat in a radial way, while Athikia stands more separate. Chelimodi and Athikia have always been strongly controlled by Corinth and maintain a pure rural character still today.

The eastern boundary of the mountain is determined by the large intersecting line of the villages Kleisoura - Agionori - Limnes - Prosymna - Kleisoura - Chonikas. The southern part of this great zigzag follows the ravine that starts at Limnes and which opens the passage Kleisoura Prosymna. The ravine, the Asterion River of antiquity, empties its sediments in Argos, enriching annually the plain with the sediments from the mountains. Further east of this line lies a vague series of hills, at the edge of which was the connection of the Argolian cities with Epidaurus.

To the west lies the great Argolic plain. This vast agricultural enclave - along with the proximity of the sea, the presence of the great karstic springs of Lerna and the exuberant topography of the surroundings, was at the base of the wealth of the Mycenaean civilization. Mycenae stands on a natural terrace overseeing this vast plain and its natural wealth, which is literally spreading at its feet. In modern history, this role was assigned to many, smaller, settlements, which prospered or were erased in time, depending on the circumstances of the rural economy.

The west side is completed with Dervenakia, a long and shallow depression that has preserved the role of the gate to Argolida from prehistory until today. An axis with clear geometric elements, it has always been - despite its rough geography, the main land line of access to the Mycenaean and Argolic worlds.
Axis, gate and fortress, Dervenakia was not only one of the main landmarks of the Peloponnesian geography and a key element of the natural landscapes of its eastern boundaries, but also an important place of historical memory. It is from here that passed the endless groups of peoples of all ethnicities into Moria (aka. the Peloponnese), eventually transferring their wisdom or misery to the blissful Argolida. This is also the passage through which crossed all great armies, and where the Turkish invasion was stopped; and it is from here that the trains traveled uphill carrying the Argolian apricots and oranges to the markets of the world.

The Mycenaean oreography

The main feature of the mountains that separates Mycenae from Corinthia - the Nyfitsa mountain range - is what makes it claim the title of mountain range, namely its long and steep cliffs. Indeed, a series of intense tectonic movements, after sharply lifting the limestone masses, fragmented them, creating a discontinuous mountain. The rest was undertaken by karstic dissolution, weathering and erosion.

The mountain range of Nyfitsa recedes along the axis Agionori-Stefani-Agios Vasilios, with just some isolated peaks further south. Stefani is the only settlement located inside the galaxy of peaks and plateaus of the area.

Mts. Trikorfo, Charvati (Ailias), Sara and Prophitis Ilias stand to the W and SW of Stefani, above the rest of the original geological floor. The last three form the mountainous backbone of Mycenae, which ensured the interconnection, the refuge and the water supply of the prehistoric city. From these steep peaks, the Mycenaeans detected the current threats – along the vulnerable coast, in the open bay and in the mountain passages – as well as the future ones.

Text and photos: T. Adamakopoulos