Kastrologos

Castles of Greece
 

Karatzas, Troizinia - Methana, Piraeus & Islands,Attica

Fortification of Choriza

  
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Location:
Atop a conical hill in Trizinia, northeastern Peloponnese, halfway between the villages Karatzas and Skapeti
Region > Prefecture: Greek Map
Attica
Piraeus & Islands
Municipality > Town:
City of Troizinia - Methana
• Karatzas
Altitude:
Elevation ≈ 508 m 
(Relative Height≈80 m)
Time of Construction   Origin
13th century  
FRANKISH
Hon 
Castle Type   Condition
Castle Ruins  
In Ruins
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ruins of a small, unsophisticated fortification atop a small steep hill in the region of Trizinia in Argolis.

The small area of the fortification and the location indicate that this was not a typical castle but rather a guard post and an intermediate check point between the nearby castles of Kokkinia and Fanari .


History

Old travellers assumed that a Mycenaean fortification preexisted on the hill. This hypothesis seemed obvious and it was generally accepted, but it was never verified.

Some findings and the type of the walls indicate that the fortification was medieval and most probably Frankish. The fort was in use from the 13th century until perhaps the 15th century.


Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The small plateau at the top is small, around 1000 sq.m. The length of the fortified wall is around 30m and it is preserved at a height ±1,80-2,00m.

It was built in one phase without later modifications. The natural rock of the hill is in some parts embedded into the wall.

The wall is extended at the West-Northwest side of the hill. If there was ever a wall at the other sides, it does not exist anymore.


First entry in Kastrologos:    December 2015
Last addition of photo/video:  May 2024

Sources

  • Nikos D. Kontogiannis, An Itinerary through the Medieval Castles and Fortifications of the Province of Troizenia [in Greek]
  • Website Exploring Greece - Οχύρωση Χώριζας
  • Information sent by Mr. Ioannis Dedes
  • Δημήτριος-Περσέας Λουκίσσας, «Αργολίδας-Κορινθίας Περιήγησις», τόμος Γ’, Ανοιχτή Πόλη, Αθήνα, 2024 σελ. 286-287, απ’ όπου και οι φωτο 1, 6, 7, 8 (Ιούνιος 2017)