Karababa, 17th-century Ottoman fortress in Chalkis, Greece
Karababa is a 17th-century fortress spread across Fourka hill with multiple defensive towers, ramparts, and an interior church overlooking the Strait of Evripos. The structure commands views of Chalkis town from its elevated position.
A Venetian defector named Gerolimo Galopo designed this fortress in 1684 for Ottoman forces to protect Chalkis from Venetian attacks. The construction incorporated European architectural knowledge with Ottoman defensive needs.
The fortress displays a blend of Ottoman military design and Venetian building techniques that shaped how its walls and towers were constructed for defense.
The fortress is easiest to access through its southeast entrance, where you can explore the preserved walls and examine two Russian cannons from the 1800s. The elevated location provides good views but requires careful footing on uneven paths.
The western section contains a seven-sided tower connected by a narrow vaulted corridor that functions as an intricate defensive passageway. This unusual shape was strategically designed to confuse attackers navigating through its narrow spaces.
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