Acrocorinth, Medieval fortress at Ancient Corinth, Greece
Acrocorinth is a hilltop fortress in Corinth that rises about 575 meters above sea level and is surrounded by defensive walls with extensive fortifications. The ruins reveal gates, storage areas, and an ancient water system that supplied the inhabitants.
The fortress changed hands repeatedly from the 6th century BC until 1821, controlled in turn by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans. Each ruler left their mark on the structure and fortifications of the site.
The upper section once housed a temple to Aphrodite, which was later transformed into a Christian church and then served as a mosque during Ottoman times. These layers of religious change remain visible in the stones and tell the story of the different cultures that inhabited this place.
The climb to the fortress is steep, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow plenty of time for exploration. The paths are sometimes marked, though some areas are uneven and require careful footing.
An underground spring called Peirene flowed within the fortress walls and supplied fresh water to its inhabitants. This natural water source was a key reason why the stronghold proved so difficult to capture over the centuries.
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