Ancient Pelinna

The hometown of Hippocleus

Ancient Pelinna, the hometown of Hippocleus, who is honored in Pindar’s ancient anthems, was identified from William Martin Leake due to the ancient relics found at Paleogardiki area, north of the current community of Petroporos, Trikala. Founder of the city, according to mythological tradition, was Pelinos, Oichaliea’s, from the holy city of Oichalia in the country of Evritos. The town of Estiaotida municipality, in the narrow passage between Hassia mountains and Pinios river, had a strategic position to control the road from ancient Trikki (today Trikala) to Larissa. With a macedonian guard stationed permanently since Philip II’s years, it was promoted and found to be the focus of political developments throughout Macedonian rule in Thessaly, thanks to the incorruptible policy that followed.

The surviving parts of the city walls of Ancient Pelinna are today the only visible evidence of it, as the lack of systematic excavations does not allow the image of that life to be partially restored.