Castle of Agios Donatos #1139

Description

The site was first fortified during the Hellenistic period, and in the 6th century AD, it was rebuilt under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, like many other fortresses of the empire. The castle remained in use throughout the Byzantine era and continued to be occupied during the Ottoman period. After the 13th century, it became part of the Despotate of Epirus and subsequently passed through various rulers—including Serbs, Albanians, Byzantines, and Latins—until the Ottoman conquest in 1449.

As the town of Paramythia developed, the settlement within the castle gradually declined and was ultimately abandoned at the beginning of the 19th century. The castle was named in honor of Saint Donatos, the patron saint of Paramythia.

The structure includes an outer fortified enclosure with a polygonal layout, reinforced by towers, and an inner citadel positioned at the highest point to the east. The total fortified area spans approximately 30,000 square meters.

The northern side of the hill is naturally rocky and inaccessible, so it was left unwalled, while the southern side was fortified only in its more vulnerable areas. The western side of the hill, facing Paramythia and providing the easiest access, features the most extensive fortifications.