Nafpaktos Castle, Medieval fortress in Nafpaktos, Greece
Nafpaktos Castle is a medieval fortress that extends from a hilltop citadel down to the sea with five defensive walls and two piers built into the natural landscape. The fortification connects the lower city to the upper sections through pathways and incorporates the Prophet Elias chapel within its structure.
The castle originated in ancient times as a naval station for Athens during the Peloponnesian War before coming under Venetian and then Ottoman control. This succession of rulers over several centuries shaped the fortress into the structure seen today.
The fortress displays architectural features from multiple periods, with Byzantine walls, Venetian gates, and later Ottoman modifications visible throughout the fortification. Walking through the structure reveals how each era left its mark on the defensive design.
Visitors should wear suitable footwear as the pathways connecting the lower sections to the upper areas are uneven and involve significant elevation changes. The best time to explore is in the cooler hours of the day when the terrain is easier to navigate and views are clearer.
The fortress preserves the Vesir Mosque, a remnant of Ottoman occupation, and includes a horseshoe-shaped bastion called Ntapia Tsaous. This structure was specifically designed to accommodate the deployment of large-caliber firearms.
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