Antiparos Castle #1046

Description

Antiparos has been inhabited since ancient times, when it was known as "Oliaros." Later, it became part of the Byzantine Empire until 1207, when it was incorporated into the Duchy of Naxos under Venetian noble Marco Sanudo, who was appointed ruler of the Cyclades.

The Venetians initially gave little attention to the island, which by the early 15th century had become a base and refuge for pirates. This situation changed when Giacomo Lorentano, who had married Maria Sommaripa from the ruling family of Paros, became lord of the island.

Lorentano personally financed the resettlement of Antiparos, bringing new inhabitants and constructing a castle in 1440, featuring a distinct and unique architectural style. The structure included 24 two-story houses arranged in a compact formation to create the outer zone, with a central motte or mound.

The castle and the island remained under the Lorentano family until 1480, when they were given as a dowry to Domenico Pisani, the son of the Duke of Crete, who married Fiorenza, daughter of the Duke of Naxos.

In 1537, the island was looted by the Ottoman pirate Hayredin Barbarossa. Afterward, it became part of the Crispi family’s holdings (from Naxos) until it was permanently taken over by the Ottomans in 1566, who ruled until 1832