Aikaterinh Balla Source: C.E.T.I. © Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

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Ruins of a fortified settlement were found between the southern foot of the Rodopi mountain range and the eastern riverside of Patermos, are identified as belonging to Byzantine Gratianoupolis or Gratianou (today known as Gratini), which was an important Thracian position. In particular, after the destruction of Mosynopolis (the Thracian capital by that time) it apparently became a great civil and urban centre of central Rodopi and, of the mountainous area of Thrace in general, during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Fortification ruins of Byzantine Gratianoupolis were found on the western side of a hillock, next to Patermos river and north of the village of Gratini. The fortress was probably built in the 14th century. The irregularly shaped plan has a length of 250 feet from north to south. The masonry, reaching 4 metres high, consists of rubble stones, mortar, plinth fragments and irregular brick masonry. There is a circular tower on the east wall. Close to a more recent chapel there was found a hexagonal, rectangular cistern of large dimensions, having cylindrical vaults that is considered to be old. The fortification construction does not bear signs of use of previous architectural elements since we lack evidence concerning the antiquity.