Seek out romantic ancient ruins that offer interesting insights into the past, plus amazing views of Greek landscapes.
Whatever you seek from a holiday destination, with its visually striking palette of warm stone, cobalt sea, and olive foliage, and its millennia-old layers of history, beautiful beaches, mountains and intriguing islands – never fails to defy expectations. Year-round sunshine adds allure to a landscape and coastline littered in ruins of a rich civilization, offering rich pickings for fortress hunters.
And where there’s a castle, there tends to be the important settlements, harbours, monasteries, catacombs, barracks, baths, libraries and valuable natural resources that inspired historic defense… A skyline with towers, ramparts and bastions signals a wealth of romance to discover.
It is hard to imagine a more mystical setting than Monemvasia. Carved from the limestone of a small island-rock cut off from the east coast of the Peloponnese by an earthquake in 375AD, this medieval castle town is linked to the mainland by a causeway.
Mystical setting: the island of Monemvasia CREDIT: GEORGE ALEXANDROU
The name comes from “moni emvasi”, meaning “one entrance”, and previous occupants include the full roster of Minoans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans. Streets are cobbled and suitable only for donkey traffic. Sites to see include Christos Elkomenos Square and the 12th century Agia Sophia church. The town walls and Byzantine churches remain intact from medieval times.
In Messinia on the Peloponnese, the castles of Methoni and Koroni tell of the strategic importance of Greece as the ancient crossroad between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Koroni, a gem of Venetian fortress architecture, ushers you back to ruthless times when people regularly had to seek refuge from pirates. Methoni, built on a rocky promontory 18 miles further west, is notable for the arched stone bridge that connects it to the shore.
Its well-preserved gates decorated with the Lion of Saint Mark and fortified prison-tower remain symbolic of nigh on 1,000 years of Venetian marine dominance. Combine a visit with a trip to the island of Sapientza where you can swim and scuba dive in crystal-clear waters.
Floating palace: the castle-turned-prison of Palamidi in Nafplio
Known as the “floating palace” thanks to its soaring hillside presence, the castle-turned-prison of Palamidi in Nafplio makes a great base from which to explore the north end of the Argolic Gulf. It looks a challenge but a walk up the 857 steps to the top rewards the effort: the well-preserved architecture includes a covered road and the views towards Bourtzi castle in the harbour are amazing. Nearby lie the beaches of Tolon and the Unesco heritage sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus.
Five-star: the old town in Rhodes is one of the best-preserved Gothic towns in Europe
Rhodes is synonymous with its legendary Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, but the medieval citadel of the old town is a surprise that earns five-star reviews from visitors. From 1309, the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Hospitallers, transformed the ancient Greek site into an impregnable fortified city and today it has Unesco World Heritage status as one of the best-preserved Gothic towns in Europe, with later Islamic mosques, baths, and houses.
In the mountainous northwest of Greece, the castle of Ioannina, the oldest Byzantine fortress in Greece, sits atop a ridge jutting into Lake Pamvotis in a corner of the modern city.
Fascinating history: the castle of Ioannina in the northwest of Greece
Credit: Y Skoulas
The castle is dominated by its two citadels, already established by the late 11th century, though much of the existing fortification today owes its construction to the colorful 18th-century brigand Ali Pasha. Three remarkable museums inside the castle immerse you in its various phases with exhibitions dedicated to the Byzantine era, municipal ethnography and military history.
Get inspired by Greece
Greece is a country of rich culture, fine cuisine and natural beauty.
While the mainland offers surprises at every turn, its many picturesque islands are dotted with the monuments and relics of past millennia – secluded but accessible, mysterious but enlightening.
This nspiring and diverse destination provides opportunities for adventures of all kinds.
To find out more and to begin planning your trip, visit www.visitgreece.gr
Source: Best castles and fortresses in Greece | The Telegraph