Castle of Lardos, Castle in Rodos Municipality, Greece
The Castle of Lardos is a medieval fortress ruin on a small hill near the village of Lardos, on the island of Rhodes, Greece. Its layout follows the shape of the terrain, and the south side still shows sections of wall with two square towers.
The castle was likely built during the Byzantine period, before the Knights of St. John took over Rhodes in 1309 and made use of the site as part of their defensive network. Later records show the village of Lardos belonged to the Castellania of Lindos, and residents were directed to seek shelter in Lindos in emergencies.
The site is freely accessible and can be visited at any time without a reservation. The ground is uneven and stony, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before heading up the hill.
The castle appears in almost none of the Knights' official records, even though it stood within their territory, suggesting it played a secondary role in their plans. Inside the ruins, traces of vaulted rooms have been found in the highest tower, pointing to it having been used as a residence at some point.
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