Carabamba Castle #1116

Description

Some scholars identify the site of the fortress with the ancient location of Kanethos, as there are sparse remains of buildings and graves visible on the hill's surface. The hill was likely fortified during the Roman period, though it remained unfortified through the Byzantine, Venetian, and early Ottoman eras.

The castle as it appears today was likely constructed by the Ottomans in 1684 to defend Chalkis against Venetian forces. Designed by Venetian engineer Gerolimo Galopo, its architectural style is notably European rather than traditionally Turkish. The fortress was unsuccessfully besieged by Venetian forces under Morozini in 1688, and the Ottomans retained control until they surrendered it to the Greek state following the Treaty of 1833, marking Greek independence.

The fortress, known as the Castle of Karababa, occupies the Phourka hill on the Boeotian coast, offering a commanding view of the Euripos Strait and the town of Chalkis. Given its Venetian design, the fortress has a distinctly Venetian character. Its oblong enclosure, oriented east-west, is reinforced with a rampart along the north wall, three bastions, and a large tower. The southern wall is less well-preserved, and ancient spolia (reused materials) are embedded in various parts of the structure.