Castle of Palia Epidavros

The castle at Palia Epidavros is what remains of the acropolis of ancient Epidaurus, a hilltop fortification on the peninsula called “Nisi” above the Mikro (Small) Theater. In the Early Byzantine period, this ancient stronghold was partly converted into a medieval castle, though no historical records survive for that phase. The construction style, along with the wall type of its church, suggests it was raised in the late 6th or 7th century AD, when raids by Slavs and Avars made new defences necessary. The medieval fortress occupied only part of the older acropolis, yet it was substantial for its era: the walls ran 500 metres around an area of 13,400 square metres, with traces of three towers and curtain walls up to 2 metres thick. Builders recycled stone from the ancient site. Inside stands a ruined church dated between the 7th and 10th centuries, and a modern chapel, Panagitsa, has been added nearby.