The excavation of the area has brought to light a fortified city,
surrounded by cult areas, that was inhabitated continuously from
the Classical period to Early Christian times.Private residences,
public buildings, shops, and a large number of workshops are erected
in building blocks defined by the streets. On the south edge of
the ancient city are the public baths , an imposing complex covering
an area of over 4,000 square metres and dating from about A.D.
200.
In the east sector has been discovered the villa of Dionysos,
which takes its name from the large mosaic depicting the god that
covers the floor of the banqueting room. The sanctuaries of the
gods, two theatres (one Greek and one Roman) and the stadium have
been discovered outside the city walls.The sanctuary of Demeter,
just outside the walls and the gate at the end of the main street
of the city, is the earliest Macedonian sanctuary known to date.
It had un uninterrupted life from the late 6th c. B.C. to the
early 4th c. A.D. To the east of the sanctuary of Demeter has
been discovered a sanctuary devoted to the cult of the Egyptian
gods Sarapis, Isis and Anubis. There is a small temple of Aphrodite
Hypolympidia (Aphrodite worshipped below Mount Olympos) in this
same sanctuary.
The Hellenistic theatre of Dion, which lies outside the walls,
was built in the reign of Philip V (221-179 B.C.). The Roman theatre,
dating from the 2nd c. A.D, has been identified south-east of
the Hellenistic structure. During Early Christian times the city
contracted and the central area was occupied by an Early Christian
Basilica dating from the late 4th c. A.D.