Gimnasium - Ktisikleous Chartionos

Beautiful city Eretria.

Small archaeological site

Building with a very nice view but old.

I am proud of the heritage this place carries here.

Archaeological site in abandonment. Horses, dung and bees coexist harmoniously with tall grass. But let us say a few words about the monument. The institution of the high school, closely intertwined with the institution of adolescence, was intended to form the good citizen and the brave and capable warrior. Its operation was connected, in parallel, with the sports ideals of the classical and Hellenistic era. As public educational institutions, the high schools were originally intended, mainly, for the physical education and the exercise of the sports skills of the young people. Gradually, they were transformed into parallel centers for the provision of educational circulars and philosophical courses. The person in charge of the operation of the high school was called Gymnasiarchos. The management of the city high school was a very honorable office. He was responsible for covering the expenses, the equipment, the maintenance of the building facilities and the provision of the necessary staff for the teaching and training of the teenagers. He was also responsible for organizing games, celebrations and meals. The diversity in the educational function of the high school is reflected in its architectural form. In addition to the arena and the arcades, which were intended mainly for wrestling competitions, in contact with the high schools, tracks were developed for the rest of the competitions and the exercises in formations. These are Paradromida, an open track for road and throwing competitions and Xistos, a covered area (gallery) for road competitions, one stage long (185-192m.). Sports facilities coexisted with classrooms, meeting rooms and libraries. Thus, the high school became one of the most important centers of public life in the city, a place for citizens to gather and hold banquets and celebrations.