Pythagorion Attractions

The friendly little port of Pythagórion or Tigáni, 11km/7mi southwest of Sámos town on the south coast of the island, occupies the site of the ancient city of Samos. There are remains of town walls (fourth century B.C.) and the foundations of a breakwater. On the acropolis hill, near the cemetery, are the church of the Transfiguration (Metamórfosis) and a castle built by Lykourgos Logothetis (1822-24). Close by is the site of a Hellenistic villa, on which a Christian basilica was built in the fifth century. A small museum contains Archaic and Hellenistic funerary stelae, portraits of Roman Emperors and a seated figure of Aiakos, father of Polykrates. No structures belonging to the ancient acropolis have been found.

In the eastern part of the site of the ancient city is the monastery of the Panayía Spilianí, below which, reached on a signposted path, is a depression marking the site of a theater.