Agios Matthaios, Notia Kerkyra, Kerkyra,Ionian islands
Gardiki Castle
| Location: |
| Agios Matthaios, Corfu |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Ionian islands Kerkyra | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Notia Kerkyra • Agios Matthaios | |
| Altitude: | |
|
Elevation ≈ 35 m (Relative Height≈0 m) |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 13th century | BYZANTINE  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Castle |
Relatively Good
|
The castle of Gardiki is near the village of Agios Matheos (St. Mathew), 23 km west of the city of Corfu. It was built by the Byzantines in the 13th century and is considered a "twin" of Angelokastro.
History
It is not known when exactly it was built. Most probably, in the beginning of the 13th century, when the Byzantine ruler of the Despotate of Epirus, Michael I Komnenos, made an effort to reinforce the defense of Corfu against pirates and the attacks of the Franks and the Italian states. Some sources believe that it existed since earlier, the 11th century.
Structure, Fortification & Buildings
The castle has an octangular layout with 8 rectangular towers. There are two gates of which the south one was the main gate and still in use today.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | September 2012 | Last addition of photo/video: | April 2024 |
Sources
- Photos 2-7: John Gekas
- Pictures 1, 10, 11 by G Traveller
- Photos 12-16: Facebook page Gate of Greek Archaeological & Historical Studies (April 2024)
- Video by the user
G Traveller Κάστρο Γαρδικίου | Gardiki Castle (source also of the pics 1, 11, 12)
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| - |
| Entrance: |
| ? |
| Other castles around |
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| Angelokastro |
| Tower of Garoufa |
| Fort of Gouvia |
| New Fortress of Corfu |
| Old Fortress of Corfu |
