Gla (Glas)

The Mycenaean fortress of Gla lies at the northeast end of the Kopais plain (formerly Lake Kopais).

26km/16mi from Thebes on the main road to Lamía the hill on which Gla lies can be seen rising out of the plain on the right of the road, 1km/.75mi away. To reach it, take the turn-off for the village of Kástro. The narrow road encircles the hill, which rises to 70m/230ft on the north side. The massive walls, 5.7m/19ft thick and still standing 3m/10ft high, enclose the whole area of the hill. The walls have a total length of 3km/2mi (compared with Mycenae's 900m/985yd) and take in an area of 200,000 sq.m/215,000 sq.yd, making this the largest stronghold of its period.

From the north gate we continue up to the highest