I have just spent some time going through my Symi guidebooks (one from 1975), and trawling the internet, to find information about Drakou (or Drakos). At first, all I could find was a reference to it being ‘An ancient fortification.’ However, after some skulduggery in my search string, I came across a more informative site from the Aikaterini Laskardis Foundation which sets out to map the history, mythology, and literature of Greece. On one page, I found the following map and info which I have copied and paraphrased from the site. https://topostext.org/place/366279BDra
On the lower slope of the steep hills that form the south side of the Pedi Valley is an archaeological curiosity, referred to by its popular local name ‘Drakou’ (‘dragon’s lair’). Not easy to find. There are two elements here, both ancient: an unidentified but very cleanly constructed edifice in ashlar masonry; and an area of walling, terracing or fortification, just beyond (east) and further up the hill.
The latter has been modified by mediaeval and later walling in small irregular stones which has been raised up on top of it. The former—a building of uncertain purpose—is more remarkable because of the very fine cutting and finishing of its large limestone elements.
Earth has filled so much of the area that it is difficult to get a sense of the whole. What is visible consists of two chambers: one larger, sunk in the ground, and one smaller, above it to the south. The south door of the main chamber is beautifully finished and mounted. On the north wall are two curious, deep rectangular indentations: the whole area is scattered with cleanly cut blocks with architectural elements— protrusions and recesses. The precision with which they are worked would suggest a 4th century BC date for the masonry.
Although the building’s unusual form, with its sunken elements, overlooking virtually the only fertile area of the island and facing east, brings to mind a place for the cult of Demeter, more plausibly these remains belong to a large, secular building relating to the agricultural work of the valley. The wider area has yielded evidence of Late Bronze Age settlement.
And that, folks, is about as detailed a description of the area that you’re likely to find.
