Goritsa Hill - VofV #3 Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Goritsa is the name of the hill at the entrance of Pagasitikos Gulf and is a natural small hill about 200 meters above sea level. The cache is a small tupperware, hidden at the top of the hill, at the base of a small rock and it is camouflaged with some stones.
Some historic informations about the area.
In the first half of the 4 th century BC, when Philip II made fortifications in Magnesia, an ancient city built on the hill of Goritsa, at an excellent strategic position. The city wall was built probably by Cassander (316-298 BC), was 2,850 km long and 33 towers were placed at uneven intervals, as the geographic terrain offered in some areas natural fortification.
Within the city an important position held by the site of the Acropolis. The Acropolis on the top of the hill constitutes also part of the fortification. Today there stands the church of Zoodohos Pigi. The acropolis takes up an area of 135 meters length and 80 meters width.It is fortified and includes the towers 20,25. the gate of the ancient acropolis is located at the exact point where today the road crosses the wall.
At the site of the Acropolis, there were found five tanks of water and sewer pipes of the ancient city. At the place were the cache is, you can have a closer look of these constructions. The city's water supply, was from a spring located at a distance of more than three kilometers and at an altitude of 290 meters through a pipe carved in the rock.
Outside the wall in a natural cave is found the inscription on a rock "DIOS MILICHIOU" which shows the worship of Zeus in the region.
On the establishment of ancient Demetrias, in 294 BC, began the devastation of the city, as Demetrius Poliorcetes forced a significant part of the population to be transferred to Demetrias.
Today the site of the ancient city is an open archaeological monument of particular interest because of its fortifications and its specific structures within the city limits, mainly related to the organization and some construction outside the walls.
Most important spot is the Bulwark. You can see the remains of the stone made base, three meters height. Bulwark is the highest and the closest point of the narrow path, that connects the hill of Goritsa with the Pelion mountain and used to protect the most vulnerable section of the fortification.
You can reach the spot of the cache on foot, but preferably by car or bike. You have to be prepared for some hiking and for some meters of walking on slippery rock so you have to be prepared accordingly.
From the spot of the cache you can also enjoy the superb view to the city of Volos and to Pagasitikos gulf.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vs lbh ner pbzvat gb gur TM sebz gur gbc lbh unir gb ybpngr gurfr fgrcf gb tb qbja (lryybj neebj)
Ybbx sbe gur "T" fvta ba gur ebpx