Mykines and Mycenae, an ancient citadel above the Argive plain
Published on 08/30/2026 at 10:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
On the low hills of Argolis in Greece, the modern village of Mykines lies beside the ruins of Mycenae, an archaeological site where massive stone fortifications, royal tombs and a palace complex recall the power of the Mycenaean civilisation in the second millennium BC.
The citadel of Mycenae above Mykines
Mycenae occupies a plateau between the hills of Profitis Ilias and Sara, overlooking the Argive plain and the surrounding routes through north-eastern Peloponnese.Founded between two tall hills the citadel was a strategic centre for movements across the region and towards the nearby sea.
The visible monuments belong largely to the period of Mycenae’s great prosperity, from about 1350 to 1200 BC, when the palatial centre controlled an extensive territory and trade network.Most of the monuments date from the thirteenth century BC and form a dense ensemble of fortifications, palace remains and burials around the acropolis.
Lion Gate, Cyclopean walls and royal tombs
The approach to the citadel passes through the Lion Gate, a monumental entrance set into the fortification line and named for its carved relief of two animals above the opening.The Lion Gate marks the main access to the citadel and frames the route up towards the palace area. Around it, the walls rise in massive courses of stone known as Cyclopean masonry, an arrangement that has long drawn attention for its scale and rugged construction.
Within and around the acropolis lie royal grave circles and a series of domed tombs, often described as tholos tombs, set into the surrounding slopes and approached by cut passageways.The royal grave circles and domed tombs form a key part of the site and illustrate the wealth of the ruling elites of the Late Bronze Age. The Treasury of Atreus is among the most prominent of these tombs, with a tall chamber roofed in stone courses.
Mycenaean civilisation and later rediscovery
Mycenae gave its name to the Mycenaean civilisation, a cultural and political network that dominated much of the eastern Mediterranean between about 1600 and 1100 BC and influenced the development of classical Greek culture.Mycenae was a fortified Late Bronze Age city whose material remains, including pottery, frescoes and metalwork, define much of what is known about that civilisation.
The archaeological sites of Mycenae and nearby Tiryns were inscribed together on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999, recognising their value as preserved palatial centres of the Late Bronze Age.UNESCO inscribed Mycenae and Tiryns as a World Heritage Site in 1999 and highlighted the technical, artistic and symbolic achievements visible in the citadel, tombs and associated remains around Mykines.
Visiting Mykines: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Mykines lies in Argolis in the north-eastern Peloponnese, with the archaeological site of Mycenae reached by road from Argos, Nafplio and the main routes across the region.
- The terrain at the citadel includes stone paths rising up the slope, uneven surfaces and sections of fortification that require walking on gradients.
- The archaeological site stands near the modern village of Mykines, with the surrounding landscape opening towards the Argive plain and the hills of the Peloponnese.
- The official language is Greek and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Mykines
Where is Mykines and Mycenae in Greece?
Mykines is a settlement in Argolis in the north-eastern Peloponnese, close to the archaeological site of Mycenae above the Argive plain.
What should visitors expect on a visit to Mycenae?
Visitors encounter a fortified citadel approached through the Lion Gate, extensive stone walls, palace remains, royal grave circles, domed tombs and an archaeological museum.
What makes Mykines and Mycenae distinctive?
The combination of a modern village beside a Late Bronze Age palatial centre, massive Cyclopean fortifications and royal tombs set into the surrounding slopes gives the area a distinct character.
