In antiquity, the areas of Voula and Vouliagmeni were within the limits of the demos of Halai Aixonides, the remains of which have been coming to light in archaeological investigations conducted over the past 50 years. The road network of the ancient demos was particularly developed, since through it passed two basic arteries for the whole of Attica: the ‘Astike Hodos’ (= Urban/City Road) and the ‘Paraliake Hodos’ (= Coast Road), which were linked with secondary local roads, one of the most important of which is the so-called Harbour Road, which uncovered during works on remodelling the Megalo Kavouri beach in Vouliagmeni. The excavation, the conservation and the enhancement of this thoroughfare were carried out under the supervision of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands. It was a road for vehicles, which linked the demos with harbour that would have existed on the particular coast. The overall excavated stretch of road is 300 m and its width ranges from 1.90 m to 6.10 m. On the basis of the pottery and the coins recovered from the excavation, the ‘Harbour Road’ must have been in use throughout the fourth century BC and well into the second century BC. The ancient road crosses at right angle with two smaller road arteries, which have survived very piecemeal. The one led to the present hills of Kavouri, where a farmstead with eleven rooms and central courtyard was excavated.
The rich finds (pottery, loom-weights, metal objects, inscriptions) date the farmstead to the fourth century BC. The revealing of the road and the farmstead on the coast of Kavouri is particularly significant, as it enabled the identification of the bay of Kavouri with the ancient harbour of the area. Due to the extent and the good condition of the road, a study for its conservation and enhancement was prepared, with the aim of integrating it in the natural environment and uses of the site through lived experience of visitors, with the possibility of walking along the ancient road. With this aim and on the basis of the decision of the Central Archaeological Council, a stretch of the road was conserved and reconstructed along the same axis and with ancient techniques.
Image source: Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands Archive, Giannis Asvestas
