Medieval Castle of Levadia, Medieval fortification in Livadeia, Greece.

The Medieval Castle of Levadia is a fortified site built on a hilltop featuring three distinct sections connected by defensive walls. The structure shows evidence of multiple building phases designed to control access and protect the surrounding territory.

The fortification was originally built in ancient times and reached its height of power when Catalan forces took control in the early 1300s and made it a center of their rule in Greece. This transformation strengthened it as a major military stronghold in the region.

Levadia's residents opened the castle gates to the Catalan Company in 1311 after securing the right to keep their Orthodox faith while being governed by Barcelona's customs. In the 14th century the town had the largest Catalan community outside the Crown of Aragon. The Byzantine church of Agia Sophia inside the castle is said to have held Saint George's chariot, taken from Constantinople by crusaders in 1204.

You can reach this site by walking trails that lead up from the town center and are fairly easy to follow. Exploring on foot takes time, so plan for enough daylight hours to complete your visit comfortably.

The eastern wall ends in a massive rectangular tower about 8.5 by 15 metres and 12 metres high, with few openings. Its base is built from large dressed ancient blocks, probably reused from an earlier building. A built staircase inside descends three floors to a spring of the river, so the tower secured the garrison's water supply and controlled entry to the Erkyna gorge.