Chlemoutsi

Chlemoutsi is a medieval castle in the northwest of the Regional Unit of Elis in the Peloponnese in southern Greece, part of the municipality Kastro-Kyllini.

It was built in the early 1220 by the governors of the Crusaders in the Principality of Achaia, in order to be used as their main stronghold. It is perhaps the best fortress of the early years of the occupied Greece by the Franks and it’s kept up to date. The castle is located on a small hill 226 meters near the sea. It is a central hexagonal building in which there is an inner courtyard and contains towers along it. Also, it is protected by an external wall that includes an outdoor courtyard on the west side. The castle has been preserved in its original form, that of 13th century, with minor modifications to the artillery installation.

Situated next to Andravida, the capital of the municipality and the main port of Glarentza, Chlemoutsi played an important role in the history of the City but never actually besieged. After Byzantine rule in the region in 1427, was occupied in 1460 by the Ottoman Empire, along with the rest Domain of Peloponnese. In Ottoman time there were some small additions so as to make room for artillery, but the castle gradually lost its importance and was completely abandoned in the late 18th century. In 1821, during the Greek Revolution, part of the outer wall was destroyed to prevent its use by the rebels Greeks. Today it is a preserved monument open to the public.