Tag: Methoni Castle

Methoni Castle 1: The Main Castle

A photographic of the main part of Methoni Castle, setting the scene for the Bourtzi of Methoni, the subject of the my next post in this series.

INTRODUCTION

Followijng on from my last post which described the journey to Methoni this post covers the main castle, while my next post will deal with the Bourtzi of Methoni. 

A VENETIAN MASTERPIECE

Methoni castle was first built by the Venetians in the 13th century, and then massively expanded when the retook possession of it from the Turks in the late 17th century. Here is some official information:

Restoration of Methoni CastleMehtoni Castle PicturesMethoni Castle Info BoardWalls of Methoni information board

Here is the approach to the Castle:

Sea view at Methoni
Looking towards the sea as one approaches the castle
The approach to the castle
The bridge across the moat
The gateway to the castle
The gateway to the castle
Me at the gateway to Methoni Castle
Those who have read my preliminary post to this series have already seen this picture once, and it is of the course the origin of my current profile picture.

Cannon

Here are some pictures from inside the castle…

Inside the castleWalls from the insideWall sectionPiazza d'armi information boardColumnColumn IITurkish buildingsrear gatePyramidChapelTurkish buildings IITurkish buildings IIIstone blocksSea viewSmall yachtRood screendecorated chair

Hammam roofs
This castle was first built in the 13th century during the first expansion of Venetian power, then the Turks took over until 1685, when the Venetians retook the place and held it for thirty years, before the Turks took it back again and held it until Greece gained its independence in 1821. This building is very obviously an old Hammam (a Turkish bath house)

TowerTowersSea Gaterestored archesInfo boardClose up of castle map

Braille info board
A braille information board.

Sea view IISea view IIISea view IVStone shieldWalls and seaLooking out at the seaSea View VWall section IIWell

Caper plant
A caper plant growing in the castle grounds.

Towards the BourtziBridge to the Bourtzi

Gateway to the Bourtzi
The entrance to the Bourtzi of Methoni, the subject of the next post in this series.