Kato Tarsos, Sikyona, Corinthia,Peloponnese
Castle of Tarsos
or Sfyron Castle or Castle of the Hammers
| Location: |
| On top of a rock formation near Kato Tarsos, Corinth area in Peloponnese |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Peloponnese Corinthia | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Sikyona • Kato Tarsos | |
| Altitude: | |
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Elevation ≈ 1210 m (Relative Height≈120 m) |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 14th century (?) | Late-BYZANTINE  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Castle Ruins |
Few Remains
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A castle in Corinth area in a position with an excellent natural defensive advantage. Almost nothing remains of the castle today.
History
The Castle was in a location with an unusual landscape with high rocks, the “Meteora of Corinth”.
The town flourished in the early 15th century when it belonged to the Despotate of Morea.
In 1458, Tarsos was besieged by an Ottoman army under the command of the Sultan Mohamed II the Conqueror himself. After a long siege, the Byzantine guard finally agreed to surrender. Nevertheless, the Ottomans destroyed completely the town and the castle. The defenders were not killed but the Ottomans gathered them outside the castle and crashed their ankles with hammers.
In memoriam of this barbarism, the Turks called the rock Tokmak Hisar (castle of the hammer) which in Greek was translated in “Kastro ton Sfyron”.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | November 2012 | Last addition of photo/video: | June 2016 |
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| ? |
| Entrance: |
| Free but difficult access |
