CASTLES
1. Gardíki Castle, Corfu
Situated on a hill on the southern end of Corfu, Gardíki Castle is the only surviving medieval fortress here. The castle walls form an octagonal structure supported by eight towers adorned with rows of tiles. It is flanked by Lake Korissia on one side and the village of Ágios Mattheos on the other.
2. Castle of Neratziá, Kos
Named after the sour orange trees planted in Kos during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, this castle was built by the Knights Templar. It played a key role during the Crusades by controlling the sea route towards the Holy Land. Architectural influences from the ancient city of Kos and the Asclepieion are embedded in the castle’s walls. Parts of the castle are inaccessible due to ongoing restoration work, but the walks along its exterior are truly impressive.
Castle of Neratziá’s scenic complex
3. Castle of Náxos, Náxos
A renowned monument, this castle (see Náxos Town) was built in 1207 by the Venetian duke Markos Sanoudos. Its fortifications have a pentagonal shape with three gates. The well-preserved Glezos Tower stands close to the northwestern gate. It houses a museum, with various exhibits on medieval Venetian lifestyle. Shops and eateries dot the area nearby.
4. Castle of Astypálea, Astypálea
Perched on a hill, where an ancient acropolis once stood, this castle built of ferrous rock stands dramatically juxtaposed against the gleaming white town houses below. It was founded by the Venetian official Giovanni Querina in the 15th century, at a time when Astypálea was left desolate from pirate raids. Many impressive architectural elements can still be viewed here, such as the xokastra (the castle's second wall of defence).
5. Castle of Pantelí, Léros
Overlooking the villages of Léros, this fortress is said to have been built in the 10th century and later donated by the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I to the Monastery of Ágios Ioánnis Theológos. The castle was subsequently controlled by the Knights of Saint John, who used it to protect the inhabitants from invaders, followed by Turkish, Italian and German conquerors who used it as a lookout post. Visitors to the site can observe its preserved circuit walls and the adjacent Church of Our Lady.
6. Castle of Híos, Híos
Initially founded by the Byzantines in the 10th century, this castle’s standing structure is the result of further construction undertaken by the Genoese, who ruled Híos between the 14th and 16th centuries. Interesting sights here include the Giustiniani Palace, the Ottoman tombs and Kria Vrysi, an old water cistern.
7. Mólyvos Castle, Lésvos
Offering striking views across the Aegean Sea, Mólyvos Castle sits atop a rocky hill. It was built at the site of the acropolis of Míthymna by the Byzantines. Significant reconstruction was undertaken between the 15th and 20th centuries by the Genoese as well as the Ottomans. The village surrounding the castle features wisteria-fringed streets, several small souvenir shops, medieval stone fountains and a picturesque harbour.
8. Castle of Skýros, Skýros
Close to the centre of Skýros Town, the Castle of Skýros is worth visiting for the splendid vistas of the Northern Sporádes. It is said to be built at the site where Achilles lived in hiding during the Trojan War, disguised as a woman. Explore the ruins of a church, a monastery, and Cyclopean and Byzantine walls here. Mounted onto the entrance wall is a marble lion sculpture.
9. Castle of Kýthira, Kýthira
Built during the Venetian occupation, this castle was known as The Eye of Crete, due to its strategic position that provided good observation points looking across the Ionian, Aegean and Cretan seas. The castle houses several cannons and four churches. The oldest church – the 16th-century Church of Pantokrátor – features spectacular frescoes.
10. Castle of St George, Kefalloniá
Ravaged repeatedly by wars as well as natural calamities, this large 12th-century structure houses the ruins of old dwellings and churches, such as the Church of St Nicholas. During its heyday, the castle served as the capital of Kefalloniá, and encompassed public buildings, storehouses for food and guns, hospitals, prisons, as well as cisterns of water.
Castle of St George in Kefalloniá
