Partira, Minoa Pediada, Herakleion,Crete
Castle of Vitsilia
| Location: |
| At the deserted village of Vitsilia on a hill north of Partira of Pediada region south of Heracleion in Crete |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Crete Herakleion | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Minoa Pediada • Partira | |
| Altitude: | |
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Elevation ≈ 460 m (Relative Height≈40 m) |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 13th century | VENETIAN  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Medieval Settlement |
In Ruins
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Ruins of the fortified medieval settlement of Vitsilia.
The fortification of the settlement was formed since the beginning of the Venetian occupation of Crete in the 13th century.
Only parts of the wall of the north side remain from the fortification. Probably, this was the only side protected by a defensive wall. The south and east sides were protected by the rough terrain, while the west side was protected by the walls of the houses.
The village was inhabited until 1971. Afterwards it was deserted.
There were two towers inside the fortification, one of which was the mansion of the local lord.
We have more information than usual for this settlement thanks to a saved contract since1387 signed by the Venetian landowner Dandulo which includes descriptions of the properties in the village.
Lately, five houses and the the Venetian-period church have been restored.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | November 2015 |
Sources
- Website Δημος Μινωα Πεδιαδας - Κάστρο Βιτσιλιάς
- Charalambos Gasparis - A Fortified Village in Fourteenth-century Crete in: Ψηφίδες. Μελέτες Ιστορίας, Αρχαιολογίας και Τέχνης στη μνήμη της Στέλλας Παπαδάκη-Oekland, Herakleion 2009, 175-189
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| Access |
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| Entrance: |
| Free access |