greek medieval castle northwest regional unit peninsula southern greece municipality built early rulers main stronghold finest fortification early period rule greece preserved country today castle located small plateau metres sea level comprises central built inner courtyard containing halls entire length complemented outer wall outer yard western castle largely preserved original 13th century state minor later modifications installation artillery located near capital chief port played central role history actually besieged coming byzantine rule captured ottoman_empire rest byzantine ottoman times minor additions provide platforms artillery castle progressively lost significance completely deserted late 18th century greek war independence outer wall demolished prevent greek rebels today preserved monument open public history castle built rule result dispute prince clergy asked clergy owned lands obliged render military service additional donations help defend realm clergy refused claiming owed allegiance pope confiscated church property began construction new funds fortress set new foundation previous structure identifiable site french probably gave rise greek form recently theories proposed origin suggestions greek slavic roots pre dating fortress 15th century italian sources came apparently confusion seat mint nearby middle 14th century silver coins new fortress near capital kilometres away kilometres largest port town sites administrative heart fortress south served secure control fertile plain formed major domain valley despite importance history object major military operations main function prison distinguished captives byzantine generals taken captive battle died captivity prince died domain title went king naples charles according provisions treaty granted william wife retained hereditary anna married baron lord half acquisition fertile lands powerful fortress words french addition wealth inherited marriage worried september agreement reached ceded domain exchange half lands recently deceased comprising estates italy early son successor held hostage father behaviour sole surviving daughter margaret sought virtue descent claim portion including kings naples controlled end february daughter passed titles claims returned imprisoned died february march ferdinand landed june claiming nominee fell rapidly ferdinand control eventually defeated killed july remaining troops ceded fortresses held set sail home shortly passed hands began expand territories expense prince defeat byzantine navy battle forced possessions byzantine emperor form daughter constantine residence base operations major latin stronghold city castle remained byzantine hands captured rest ottoman_empire son imprisoned managed escape lead rebellion ottoman conquest castle lost strategic significance occupied ottoman venetian war attacked period venetian rule war served seat fiscal district reports venetian governors time dismiss small size barely inhabited proposed destroyed far sea vital concern maritime minded republic difficult defend recommended abandoned ruined rebuilt instead returned ottoman control early 19th century fortress completely deserted greek war independence forces egypt took castle dismantled portion walls greek rebels today castle preserved landmark 6th byzantine visited easily accessible car nearby location architecture remains beautiful testimony military art according location small plateau metres sea level near modern village gives commanding view surrounding countryside encompassing coastal plain reaching coast greek mainland view location scale quality construction prove according built citadel fulfilled independent military role securing control wider region castle located irregular plateau southern eastern northern slopes abrupt softer western slope modern village offering easiest access heart fortress consists large complemented west terrain accessible additional outer wall likewise irregular outline second wider courtyard outer ward outer ward outer gate fortress lies northwestern outer ward originally small outer curtain wall protected later filled turks smaller set walls preserve outer wall frontage ottomans added additional buttresses junctions wall original curtain wall space original gate new ottoman entrance left open sky gate outer wall continues east south distinct stretches walls wall built limestone masonry little evidence brick tiles topped small inner ottoman built largely ruined beginning buildings built leaning outer wall evidenced remnant foundations walls joining curtain wall inner face presence windows curtain wall buildings largely preserved immediately outer gate windows etc display style points construction time fortress point outer wall joins small located leading outer wall gate curtain wall continues stretches southwest south tower probably ottoman addition junction turning sharply east built southwestern corner turks artillery platform western wall evidence buildings erected adjoining curtain wall southern wall shows evidence later probably turkish repairs broken tiles alternating stone courses stretch cannons effected breach wall roughly halfway southwestern corner wall abruptly turns metres ottoman built tower continuing east northeast join located metres junction walls irregular shape measuring metres east west metres south north walls inner courtyard metres metres walls hold series halls forming ring rooms central courtyard lower storey separated upper wooden floors collapsed support beams existence arches opening courtyard upper storey features large galleries barrel supported walls limestone blocks regularly spaced transverse arches metres collapsed set wall topped byzantine style galleries feature uniform style common 12th century french architecture double arched windows set vaulted depression walls galleries feature similar outer curtain wall associated buildings reinforcing stylistic castle suited residence halls arranged inner courtyard comfortable lit cool summer provided winter months entrance located avant corps northern vaulted gates leading outer courtyard inner rooms features round towers diameter square bases located western outer ward southern totally ruined probably result destruction exposed eastern southern sides featured towers according historian judged adequately protected steep terrain roof appears originally sloping shaped outer face rebuilt outer wall raised roof replaced current platform like terrace access roof given staircase courtyard immediately main entrance spiral staircase collapsed western corner inner new roof survives traces outer remain ottoman era provision appears installation guns architecture importance judging relative construction castle appears built years architectural elements found castle typical french 12th century architecture writes lacking purely gothic features appears transition native byzantine elements apparent blocks use local material remains important best preserved castles greece maintains character intact period decline military importance additions alterations byzantine rule left traces ottomans minor repairs modifications artillery
Chlemoutsi