Ancient Ippola
![Ancient Ippola](https://lakonia.mobi/media/images/1.618/14-70000/L/article-6324-68570.L.jpg)
A huge rock, 5 km long and about 300 metres high, which looks like a vast natural wall, rises to the west of the settlement of Kipoula. The flat section at the top of the rock is called Ano Poula. The Ano Poula plateau has been inhabited since ancient times. The area has been identified, by various scholars, with the ancient Ippola (one of the cities of the Free Lakonians League).
At the base, at the roots of the rock, a narrow port, Mezalimano, is formed between the rocks. Probably, the location of Ano Poula was the citadel of Ippola.
The central city is located on the site of today's Kipoula, in the surrounding area of which ancient settlements have been discovered. According to English archaeologist A.M. Woodward, the sanctuary of Athena Hippolaitus must be sought high on the citadel. In fact, it is claimed that the sanctuary was located at the place where, today, the church of the Virgin Mary stands.
West of Kipoula, parts of pottery have been found, which are Laconic and date back from the Geometric to the Hellenistic years. Also, at the area of Ano Poula, remains of a jar, which dates back to the Middle Helladic period (2000-1600 BC), have been discovered. Finally, in 1904, Forster found an inscription proving that the ancient city existed during the Roman period.