Neo Souli Castle #1381

Description

The history of the castle is largely unknown, but surface pottery found at the site dates to the Late Roman and Early Christian periods, classifying it as Early-Byzantine. The castle of Neo Souli is one of several unidentified fortified settlements in the foothills of Menoikio Mountain, similar to the castles of Chionochori, Agios Pneuma, and Oinousa.

These fortified settlements likely emerged between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, as indicated by the use of lime mortar in the masonry. During this period, northern Greece began to experience raids and looting by various barbarian tribes (such as the Huns, Goths, and later the Slavs). To protect themselves, the local populations gathered in naturally defensible mountain areas and fortified their settlements with walls. Some of these settlements may have already existed as simple villages but were fortified later due to these invasions.

Approximately 1.5 km north of the castle, iron ore deposits can be found. It is possible, as suggested by Samsaris (2004), that the castle was linked to this location and may have been established to ensure the safe transport of the ores.