Megalo Chorio, Tilos, Dodecanese,South Aegean
Castle of Megalo Chorio
| Location: |
| Megalo Chorio in Tilos island, Dodecanese |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| South Aegean Dodecanese | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Tilos • Megalo Chorio | |
| Altitude: | |
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Elevation ≈ 260 m (Relative Height≈260 m) |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 14th century | IOANNITE  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Island Citadel |
Not Good
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The "castle of the Knights" of Tilos is on a steep rock right above Megalo Chorio.
Tilos was occupied by the knights of the Order of St. John of Rhodes since 1310. In 1366 the island was granted as a feud to Barello Assanti d' Ischia who had the obligation to fortify the island. There are 7 castles in Tilos, all of which were built or repaired during the Ioannite period.
The castle of Megalo Chorio was previously a Byzantine castle built on a Hellenistic acropolis which included a temple dedicated to Apollo and Athena. It was inhabited untili 1827 when the modern Megalo Chorio was founded and the population moved there from the castle.
The imposing castle had a triangular ground plan, but nothing much remains of it except for the external wall, some ancient and medieval ruins, cisterns and the ruins of the church along with some of its 14th-15th century frescoes.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | October 2012 |
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| Access through a path from Megalo Chorio ( 45’). The path is not always clear and rathe dangerous. |
| Entrance: |
| Free entrance |