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Byzantine – Frank Castle

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_________________________.jpgBuilt on the site of the ancient acropolis in the years of Ioustinianos, repaired and formed as it stands today by the Franks of the 4th Crusade at the beginning of the 13th century AD. From antiquity to World War II, the castle was used continuously for the defence of the area and as a prison, thus it bears many visible additions.

It consists of a wide triangular external compound, enhanced with towers and ramparts protected initially by a deep moat and an internal compound raised in the North-East corner, where a natural mound stands, with six towers, also surrounded by a moat.

From its establishment until World War II, its constant use for the city's defence but also as an administrative and military centre has led to repeated reparations and additions, testimony of all people that passed through and a sample of their financial activity. From 1950 until 1975, the Castle belonged to the municipality of Patras, which transformed the flattered inner area into a garden, a promenade area for Patras citizens, with olive and fruit trees.
kastro.jpg

Since then, it was undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and serves as an archaeological site under the responsibility of the 6th Inspectorate of Byzantine Antiquities. In the movable theatre (640 seats) located inside, several cultural events are hosted every summer.
Today, there is a fill of several meters thickness accumulated in its interior, that cover the numerous buildings that have existed once, since Antiquity, Middle Age and the Turkish Domination Times.
The body of a statue and a male head from the Roman years is built-in to a special niche in the wall structure. This deformed statue has taken on mythical dimensions in the eyes of the residents of Patras. It became the city's wraith "Patrinela". According to the legend, it was a woman posing as a man during the years of Turkish occupation, who guards the city from epidemics and laments in the night when an eminent citizen of Patras dies.

Information
Tel: +30 2610 623390
Openimg Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30-17:00
                  Saturday - Sunday 8:00-15:00
Free Entrance

Attachments:
Download this file (Castle of Patras GR.pdf)Castle of Patras GR.pdf317 Kb
 

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