A medieval settlement with fortification, part or all of which is ancient. It is on a hill named “Palaiokastro” (meaning “old castle”) 3km NE of the village Servos or Servou in Gortynia, in western Arcadia.

This is a relatively large settlement with a decent fortification. But it has never been studied. Random findings show that it was inhabited for many centuries, from antiquity until the Ottoman conquest. Its size and walls indicate that, at a certain -unknown- period, might have had some significance.

History

The fortification exists from the 3rd century BC or a little earlier. Its size shows that it was not just a fortress, but a settlement which has not been identified yet.

The findings at the site reveal that it was inhabited also in the Middle Ages.

The oldest report for the settlement is found in the Chronicle of Morea where, in the narration of the events around the battle of Prinitsa, it is recorded that the Franks stopped at Servia. This place is identified with Servos. Servia does not appear again in any document but Servou is included in the Venetian census of 1700.

The settlement must have been abandoned after the invasion of the Turks.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The satellite image reveals an area of 19,000 sq.m. surrounded by a 600m-long wall preserved in low height.

The entrance was rather at the western side where the approach is easier. There are no towers, but some points, where the walls become unusually thick, could have been foundations of towers.

Sources