Methoni Castle, Medieval fortress in Methoni, Greece.

Methoni Castle is a medieval fortification on the cape of Agios Nikolaos in Methoni, Messenia, with walls rising from a rocky base at the water's edge. Its landward entrance is reached by a stone bridge of 14 arches built in 1828 by French engineers under General Maison. The gatehouse has two square towers with crenellated tops flanking a large arch; the left tower bears a carved crest and a rectangular recess, the right tower two arched openings and a patch of green vegetation. A paved path leads through two more gates into the interior, and a stone bridge continues south to the fortified islet of Bourtzi, an octagonal tower.

Venice built the fortress in the 13th century as a strategic naval base to control trade routes between the Republic and the Levant. The Ottomans later took control and left architectural marks on the site, including two hammams and a prison from the 16th century.

The winged lion of Saint Mark, Venice's emblem, appears on several sections of the fortification, including a plaque on the north side of the Loredan battlement from the time General Antonio Loredan commanded the Peloponnese. Near the main entrance, a plaque bears the coats of arms of the Foscarini, Foscolo and Bembo families, recording the construction of the Bembo battlement just before 1500.

The site is accessible on foot, with the bridge and paths in good condition for walking. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time for a full circuit, especially if you want to explore all areas.

The granite pillar inside the castle, carved in 1493/4 and topped with a Byzantine capital, is wrongly called "Morosini's stele". It probably held the winged lion of Saint Mark or a bust of Morosini; its inscription is lost.