Fortress Angelokastro (Angelokastro) description and photos - Greece: Corfu Island (Topic)

Angelokastro Fortress description and photos - Greece: Corfu Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. Title in English - Angelokastro.

Photo and description

The Angelokastro Fortress, or "Castle of the Angel", is one of the most important architectural monuments of the Byzantine era in Greece. It is located on the highest peak of the coastline of Corfu in its northwestern part, near Paleokastritsa. The impregnable fortress, which is a well-fortified Acropolis, was one of the most important strategic fortifications of Byzantine Corfu and played an important role in the life of the island for many centuries. In times of peace, it was also the center of trade.

The most powerful fortification was built at the beginning of the 13th century during the period of the Epirus despot. Most likely, the founder of Angelokastro was Michael I Comnenus Duca (founder of the Epirus kingdom), also referred to as Michael the Angel, although it is possible that it was his son Michael II Komnenos Duka.

In 1267 the fortress was captured by the Angevins. The manuscript that confirms this is the oldest written source on the history of Angelokastro. In 1386, the castle passed into the ownership of the Venetian Republic, which was at that time a powerful maritime power, and was used to control the sea routes in the southern Adriatic and Ionian Sea. In 1403, Genoese pirates tried to seize the castle, but were repelled. Withstood the fortress with success and the siege of the Turks in 1571. This was one of the many attempts by the Ottoman Empire to seize the island of Corfu, which they never submitted.

Today the fortress is open to the public, but restoration and archaeological work is still underway. A small church dedicated to the Archangel Michael has survived here to this day, and the chapel of Agios Kiriyaki, which has preserved frescoes from the 18th century. Stunning panoramic views from the top of the fortress.

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Topic: Fortress Angelokastro (Angelokastro) description and photos - Greece: Corfu Island.