Rio Castle, Medieval fortress at Rio peninsula, Greece
Rio Castle is a fortress on the Rio peninsula overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, built with two distinct entrance gates. The northern section opens toward the sea, while the southern section is protected by a moat filled with seawater.
Sultan Bayezid II commissioned the fortress in 1499, building it on the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Poseidon. The Venetians later modified and reinforced the structure, leaving their architectural mark on the original Ottoman design.
The chapel inside the fortress, added during Venetian rule, reflects how the military garrison integrated religious life into daily routines. You can see how the space was designed to serve both spiritual and defensive purposes for those stationed there.
The fortress sits at the entrance to the Corinthian Gulf directly beneath the Rio-Antirio Bridge and can be reached from the Patra-Athens highway. Its location near major road infrastructure makes access straightforward for visitors arriving by car.
Between 1831 and 1912, the fortress served as a combined military and civilian prison where inmates worked to maintain Rio's streets under municipal supervision. This practical arrangement transformed the fortress into a working facility for both detention and community labor.
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