Kastrologos

Castles of Greece
 

Rio, Patra, Achaea,West Greece

Rio Castle

or Casteli tou Moria  
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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Location:
Rion, Achaea, NW Peloponnese
Region > Prefecture: Greek Map
West Greece
Achaea
Municipality > Town:
City of Patra
• Rio
Altitude:
Zero Altitude
Time of Construction   Origin
1499  
OTTOMAN
H 
Castle Type   Condition
Coastal Fortress  
Relatively Good
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A fortification which was built by the Sultan Vayazit II to protect the sea passage from the Ionian sea to the gulf of Corinth. The passage was known as the "little Dardanelles".


History

In 1499 the first fortification of the pass was made by Bayazid II, smaller in area and with a double circuit and moat. In 1532 it was taken by the Spaniards and Andrea Doria, and retaken by the Turks. In 1603 the Knights of Malta wrought significant destruction. In 1687 it was taken by Morosini. Drastic repairs were made and it received the form it has today: new towers - bastions, strengthened ramparts. The fortress was siezed by the Turks in 1715, and in 1828, after a siege, the Turks surrendered it to General Maison.

It was repaired and handed over to the Greeks. The Fortress (castro) was used as a prison for a considerable time. During World War II the Germans established themselves there.

No excavations have been carried out in the area of the Fortress.


Sources




Road map to Rio Castle

Access
Approach to the monument:
It is at the port of Rio, very close to the NT Patra-Athens (exit Rio) and under the bridge of Rio-Antirrio (this one is impossible to miss).
Entrance:
Ticket entrance. Limited hours.


Other castles around
Antirrio Fortress
Castle of Elekistra
Koulia of Kanavos
Castle of Kastritsi
Castle of Listrena
Castle of Nafpaktos
Castle of Patra
Pavlokastro
Pournarokastro
Tower of Roufos
Castle of Salmenico
Sidirokastro in Achaea
Chalandritsa Tower