Exoumburg Castle #1039

Description

Exomburgo was an ancient castle, with its earliest fortifications dating back to 1100 BC. During the classical period, it served as the center of Tinos.

The medieval history of Tinos is largely unclear, but the island emerged from obscurity following the 4th Crusade. After the fall of Constantinople to the "Latins" in 1204, Tinos became the fief of two Venetian brothers, Andrea and Jeremiah Ghisi, in 1207.

One of their initial actions was to fortify the rock, transforming it into a stronghold. At that time, the castle was known as "Castrum de Tine" or "Castello di Santa Elena," named after a chapel dedicated to St. Helen located at its peak.

The Ghisi family's rule ended in 1390, after which the island came under the direct control of the Venetian Republic. This transition occurred at the request of the island's inhabitants, who were seeking to avoid annexation by the Ottoman Empire. Venice appointed a commander with the title of Rector or "Rettore di Tine e Micone."

In 1537, the notorious Ottoman admiral and pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa captured both Tinos and the castle. However, he was preoccupied with raiding other islands and coastal areas in the Aegean and Ionian seas, so he did not stay on the island for long. After his departure, Venetian rule was restored. Barbarossa returned in 1541, but this time he failed to seize the castle. Tinos remained the last Venetian stronghold in the Cyclades. The fortress was subsequently rebuilt and reinforced to withstand cannon bombardments.