| Santorini Castles |
They also constructed watchtowers at high places, a kind of distance early warning system. In Santorini of 17th century there were 5 such fortified settlements, the so-called castles. The most important, thanks largely to its position, was at Skaros , which was simply called “The Castle” or just “Kastro” in Greek. Its 200 houses were perched on the summit of a steep, well defended rocky promontory. A large bell, which was hung at the top of the rock, warned the inhabitants of impending danger. Skaros was where the Latin lords, island officials and Catholic archbishop resided; it was the medieval capital of Santorini. After 1700, when the pirate threat began to deminish, Skaros gradually fell into ruin. Its inhabitants founded a new settlement, Fira, at a lower point. The castle of Epanomeria or Apano Meria stood at the place occupied by present day Oia. It was also knows as the castle of St. Nicholaos. The other 3 castles were situated in the south part of Santorini. Pyrgos (Greek name for tower) or Kainouryiopyrgos (Greek name for new tower) was erected during Byzantine times at the heart of the village Pyrgos. The villagers would flee there in the event of enemy attack. It was there that the representative of the Ottoman authorities would stay on his biannual visit to Santorini to administer justice. It had about 100 houses and 4 churches, Agios Iakovos, Agios Ioannis Theologos, Agia Triada and the Theotaki, which was a small square church, with a dome and frescoes. The castle of Emporio with 80 houses was where commercial transactions took place. Finally, there was the castle of Akrotiri or Puntas, on the south cape of Santorini, with approx. 200 houses, of which only a few ruins remain today. source : Getting to know Santorini, Haitalis ed. |
