The Settlement of Karos

The settlement of Karos is a neolithic habitat located about 200 m north of the village of upper Qeparo, on the top of a rocky hill of with the same name.

“Walking in this ruins is like exploring ancient Epirus. This region is full of historical monuments and buildings.!”

THE FORTIFICATION

The settlement of Karos is located about 200 m. north of the village of upper Qeparo, on the top of the rocky hill of with the same name (Karos), which is separated from the west side of Gjivlashi Mountain in the form of a half cone, with a height of 450 m. above sea level. The western side of the hill ends in an abyss that falls 90 degrees in the valley of Kudhesi, while from the north and south the great slope makes it very difficult to climb, creating a natural protection of the hill.

From the top of the hill is possible to observe the valley of Qeparo, the coastline and the valley of Kudhesi. The hill has been returned to a fortified site, through the construction of three surrounding arches. Thus, the entrance from the east side was protected, which was the most convenient crossing point. Since the hill is semi-shaped and one side is cut down till the bottom of the hill to the west side, the walls have taken the form of extreme arches at the edge of the abyss.

On the eastern site the slope is mild and here is the main settlement. The main defence line follows the natural contours and has an entrance (1.8 m width) positioned in the centre by the east side. This wall is 340 m long and 3 m wide. The highest preserved height is 1, 5 m. After the entry, two lines of protection have been added to reinforce it. The materials excavated by archaeologists give a broad record starting with the first residential phase dating to the Early Iron Period and continuing until the 4th century AD.

The coast of Albanian Riviera, which constituted the estate of the Epirote tribe of Chaons, is characterized by some densely fortified settlements that dates back to the first period of the Iron Age.
In the northern part of the coast, known as the coast of Himara, we know to date four fortifications of this period: The castle of Pirgos, the settlement of Karos, the castle of Sopoti and that of Badhra. They share the same technique of building with unpolished stone and simple line of walls, with no towers and with very few entrances.
The valleys of Kudhesi and Borshi provide easy access to mainland, the mountain pass of Shen Vasil makes easy passage to the Delvina basin, while from the north the Ravenna plateau and Llogara peak make the way to the bay of Vlora.
Studies so far show that life begins at the Neolithic period at Spile (the centre of Himara), but the densest trails encounter in the Bronze Age and are represented by 20 fortifications, which are the object of study..

View of the homonimous hill of Karos, where the settlement is.

Top view sketch of the settlement of Karos.

A piece of the north west wall of the settlement.

Package Tours

HOW TO VISIT

To visit this place, you'll have to walk inside the village of Ilias and follow the path that leads to the top of the hill, once at the top now head west and you'll reach the ruins. Take a look of the path, here.

By Jano Koci

Jano Koci is an archaeologist born in Qeparo that studied at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. He is famous for the excavations in the area of Himara with well-known finds such as the castle of Pirgos, the settlement of Karos, the castle of Sopoti, that of Badhra and many other.

https://visithimara.al