Chlemoutsi Castle #1069

Description

In the westernmost part of the Peloponnese, Chlemoutsi is perched on a 220 m high mountaintop just 2 to 2.5 km from the sea, offering views of Kefalonia and Zakynthos as well as the Ionian Sea. Its advantageous location provides views over much of Achaea and Elis. It was close to the Principality of Achaea's capital, Andravida, which was roughly 12 to 13 kilometers away, and the Glarentza Castle, which was around 5 to 6 kilometers away.

It seems that the castle's goal was to guard such significant but undefended areas (Glarentza was later fortified).

Clairmont was the original French name of the fortress, but it was corrupted to become "Chlemoutsi" in Greek, according to the mediaeval Chronicle of Morea.During the Venetian era, it was referred to as Castel Tornese because the Venetians mistakenly thought that it was the Principality's mint (which was actually located in neighboring Glarentza) and that it was where the silver gros tournois coins were struck. The Chronicle of Morea covers the history of the castle's building.