THE MEDIEVAL CASTLE A landmark of the town, the Castle was built by Justinian
in the 6th century A.D., on the remnants of the ancient citadel with main the purpose to
protect and defend the town. This is why the outer courtyard surrounding the vast area
is fortified with bastions and towers. In the following centuries and until the World War
II, it was used relentlessly as a defensive fortress of the town and an administrative and
military centre. During all those years it underwent many adversities, with the last being
the German occupation, from which it was liberated along with the town in October 4th
in 1944. The castle reveals its long history, as the influences by the different conquerors
over all those years are prominent. In a specific niche, there is a walled body of a statue
and a male head dating from the Roman years. This disfigured statue, also known as
“Patrinela” became a legend and the “ghost” of the town, as it is believed that it used
to be a woman that was transformed into a man during the years of the Ottoman
Occupation, protecting the town from epidemies and crying in the night, when a local
dies. Note: Every summer, the small theatre in the indoor courtyard hosts cultural events.
Info
Daily except Monday, 08.00. - 15.00 (Free entrance)
Τ.: +30 2610 623390