THE CASTLE OF ASTYPALEA
The castle in Chora of Astypalea is unique in the entire Dodecanese.
Most of the castles, due to piracy, in this area had a purely defensive architecture with thick walls and flanked by towers and serrations of the fortified perimeter.
Astypalea is a different case. The settlement itself is part of the fortification: a continuous ring of connected three-story houses, protecting the interior. Only the castle pillar and a tower-shaped building on the south side of the enclosure seem to have been of a military character.
A short summary of its history starting at the Venation period:
-In 1207 AD the original castle was given by the Duke of Naxos to Count Ioannis Querini, who restored it.
-The castle was officially inaugurated in 1453 AD.
-From the 16th to the 19th century the island belonged to the Ottoman Empire. The castle seems to have remainned the main part of the island’s settlement until the 18th century.
-In the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the first post-revolutionary Greek government started to protect the islands of the Dodecanese against piracy. Security improved and openings in the fortified enclosure were widened. Many wooden balconies were added. Some of them are still visible at the West side of the castle.
-During the first half of the 20th century the Castle seems to have been very densely populated. In just four acres of its surface lived an average of over 3,000 people. In this period, inhabitants started to leave the castle and moved to area of Panagia Portaitissa, the church just outside the south side of the castle.
-In 1943, during the Italian period, more inhabitants started to leave the castle to settle around the castle.
-Due to the great earthquake of 1956 with a magnitude of 7.1, most of the houses on top of the hill collapsed, dragging each other down. The rest of the buildings were stripped of the remaining wooden parts and left to the elements.
-In the 1990s, a study was made to retore the castle, but this plan could not be implemented because of complications related to:
-Ownership, as the ruined houses had many owners.
-Nature of the building foundation.
-Archaeological documentation.
-Acceleration of natural wear and tear to the damaged structures.
Today the castle, partially renovated thanks to EU programs can be visited.
Recently, many walls have been repaired and 3 Houses at the western part have been restored. Plan is to use these houses in the future for a small museum and a shop for refreshments.
Please be aware that this castle is an ancient protected monument and act with caution!
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Courtesy Wordpress and others. Similar, more extended information can be found on the panels at the entrance of the castle