Unknown dry-stone fortification on a steep hill 3 kilometers west of Galaxidi in Phocis.
The hill is called “Kastro”.

The history of the fort is not known. It does not appear to be ancient. Such makeshift fortifications were built during the Byzantine period and served as shelters for the population in cases of enemy raids.

Perhaps the worst raid that Phocis experienced during medieval times was the invasion of 60,000 Ouzoi who in 1065 crossed the Danube and reached the Gulf of Corinth, plundering and committing atrocities. This fort may have been a hasty construction of that terrible – but short – period.
However, this is just a guess. The fort could have been built at any other time, after all, there was never a lack of external threats, while the area must have suffered from pirates for many centuries.

The castle was discovered around 2000 by a group of hikers including Professor Petros Themelis (see photos). During that visit, no ceramics or other surface finds (that would help in dating) were found. Since then, no researcher has dealt with the fort, as far as we know.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The only side of the hill that is fortified is the western one, which is also the most vulnerable. The other sides have no walls, because the steep rocks provide sufficient defensive protection.

The walls are made of stones from the hill. The construction is dry-stone without any mortar. The height of the walls in some places reaches 3 meters.

No buildings were found inside, which supports the hypothesis that this is a castle-refuge that was used only occasionally.

Sources