Erimokastro of Apollona #1157

Description

Rhodes has at least three fortifications named Erimokastro: one near Arnitha in the south of the island, another near Kalithies on the east coast (an ancient fortification), and the one described here.

Castle Description
Located on a mountain spur of Kepoules, between the villages of Apollona and Platania, the ruins lie above the church of Agia Paraskevi. This medieval fortification, known as Erimokastro, has an enceinte that encloses an inclined area with natural rock steps, which local farmers later reshaped into terraced farmland after the castle was abandoned. In the small-scale Byzantine masonry of the walls, a natural rock wall is integrated into the upper part of the fortification.

Today, access is possible through the dilapidated remains of the masonry at a prominent rocky peak that was likely part of the original enceinte. Inside the castle, only a few remains of buildings are visible, most likely from a post-medieval period. Stones from Erimokastro were removed to construct retaining walls for the road below, which was developed during the Italian occupation of the island (1912-1943).