Fagres, the city of the Pieres

Near the settlement of Orfani, cemeteries of the ancient city of Fagres have been found. According to Herodotus and Thucydides it was founded by the Pieres. This Thracian tribe left Pieria east of Olympus, after the pressure of the Macedonians in the 7th century BC, founding an important city near mount Paggaio and the Strymon river.

The findings from the excavations testify to an active city that had commercial contacts with other centers in the region and in Greece in general. An ancient cemetery has been excavated which was in use from the 6th century BC to the Hellenistic period (336-30 BC). Another cemetery with burials dating from the Classical to the Hellenistic period was discovered a short distance away and a Roman cemetery was found at the site of Metochi Orphani of Karyani.  East of the settlement is a Macedonian tomb. The archeological excavations in ancient Fagres brought to light pottery with excellent vase painting, jewelry, figurines, weapons.

South of the settlement are the ruins of the Castle of Orfani, also known as the Fortress of Kontessa, built during the Turkish occupation.