Castle of Chios

The Castle of Chios, which dominates on the north side of the town, is one of the most famous sites. Its walls reach 200,000 meters and it was inhabited from the Hellenistic period until today.

To begin with, it was built in the 9th century to serve as the administrative center of Chios. Progressively it was restored and expanded by the Genoese and the Ottoman and acquired its present form. The fort was badly damaged during the last centuries, especially because of the bombs of 1828, the earthquake of 1881 as well as the demolition of the south wall in the late 20th century.

 

Entering from the South Gate of the castle, known as the Venetian «Porta Maggiore», you will find the palace of Ioustiani, which was built in the 15th century and houses Byzantine exhibits. We suggest you visit and admire the impressive murals Panagia Krina. Moving toward the center, you will find the water tank “Krya Vrysi” (“Cold Fountain”), which was built during the Byzantine period, and one of the nine towers of the castle, the one known from the Ottoman years as “Koule”.

You can also tour at the Ottoman baths and the Turkish cemetery where the tomb of Kara Ali lies. After admiring the church of St. George in the main street of the fort, you can visit the Bairakli Mosque, and the prison where were barricaded the 70 elders of Chios in 1822. Last but not least, it should be noted that the castle is surrounded by a deep trench and in some towers are built symbols of power of the Genoese.