Feraklos Castle, Medieval fortress in Charaki, Greece.
Feraklos is a fortress standing on a rocky hill on the eastern coast of Rhodes, with walls extending across approximately 680 meters in an irregular polygonal layout. The castle overlooks the bays of Haraki and Agathi from its elevated position and retains the outline of its original medieval fortifications.
The Knights Hospitaller captured the fortress in 1306, making it their first stronghold on Rhodes before establishing their main base elsewhere on the island. This early occupation marked the beginning of their rule and their strategic control over the eastern coast.
The castle walls display a blend of Byzantine construction and later modifications made by the Knights Hospitaller, visible to anyone walking through the ruins. This layering of styles tells the story of how different rulers shaped the fortress over centuries.
Reaching the castle requires walking up steep paths starting from either Haraki or Agathi beach. The ascent is physically demanding, so wearing sturdy shoes and allowing plenty of time to explore the ruins is important.
The fortress contained underground tunnels connecting to the sea that served as water supply routes during medieval times. These hidden passages reveal how inhabitants creatively solved the challenge of accessing fresh water in their rocky location.
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