Patras Castle
A monument with diverse history and a breathtaking view of the city
The Castle of Patras was built during the 2nd half of the 6th century AD, on top of the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. It is located on a low hill of Mount Panachaikos at a distance of about 800 meters from the coast. It’s walls enclose an area of about 22725 sq.meters and it consists of a triangular external compound, enhanced with towers and ramparts, protected initially by a deep moat and an internal compound raised in the North-East corner, also surrounded by a moat.
It was built by Justinian after the devastating earthquake of 551, using materials taken from pre-Christian buildings for the protection of the area and its citizens. In the centuries that followed and up until the 2nd World War, it remained in constant use for the city’s defence but also as an administrative and military center.
In the Byzantine era and until the coming of the Franks (1205), the castle was besieged by the Slavs, the Bulgarians, the Normans and other, none of whom managed to capture it. In 805 AD the citizens were placed under siege in the castle by Slavs and Saracens. Their victory, was attributed to a miracle by the city’s protector Saint Andreas, which was of great significance for the containment of barbaric raids in the Peloponnese.
The Frank crusaders, enlarged the castle, enhanced it and opened a moat on three of its sides. In 1278, it was mortgaged to the Latin Archbishop, whilst in 1408, it was conceded to the Pope for five years and leased to the Venetians. It remained in the hands of the Latin Archbishop until 1430, when it was liberated by Constantine Palaiologos, who proceeded with additaments and repairs to the walls.
It was enslaved during the years of Turkish occupation and passed into Greek hands in 1828 following its liberation by the French General Maison.
From 1941 to 1944, it remained in the possession of the Germans and was liberated together with the city on the 4th of October 1944. Since 1973, the Castle is under the supervision of the 6th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. A small theatre that seats 640 people is set up in the internal compound and it stages various cultural activities each summer.
The castle’s different construction phases that can be seen today, are testimony of the work realized by various occupation forces for repairs and adaptation to evolution in warfare technology.
The body of a statue and a male head from the Roman years is built-in to a special niche in the wall structure. This deformed statue has taken on mythical proportions in the eyes of the residents of Patras. It became the city’s wraith “Patrinela”. According to the legend, it was a woman posing as a man during the years of Turkish occupation, guarding the city and lamenting the night when an eminent citizen of Patras dies.
Opening hours:
8.30 am – 3.00 pm except Mondays
Entrance is free of charge.
Contact: 0030 2610 623390