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Koroni Castle in Koroni in the Peloponnese |
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Koroni Castle is located just east of Koroni itself and is the area's
most interesting attraction. The fortress is very old and began to
be built as early as the 8th century AD. It was completed and reconstructed
by the Venetians in the 13th century. Until 1828, the Venetians sometimes
controlled Koroni and the fortress, sometimes the Ottomans ruled over
Koroni Castle, and over the village of Koroni. There were so many changes
of ownership between Venetians and Ottomans that it makes you feel dizzy.
This was not unique to Koroni or Koroni Castle, it was the case with all
fortifications in Greece at that time. Two good examples of this are Niokastro
in Pylos and Methoni Castle in Methoni.
Part of the mighty Koroni Castle. The main gate is on the right in the picture.
The village of Koroni and Koroni Castle were liberated in 1828 by the French general Nicolas Joseph Maison, the year after the Battle of Navarino in 1827. The Battle of Navarino was successful and became a turning point for all of Greece. For the first time, it was clear that Greece could actually become a free country. Without a navy, the Ottomans could no longer supply their troops in the Peloponnese, and a few years later, in 1830, Greece was recognized as an independent state.
Read about the Battle of Navarino here »
Koroni Castle should be called Koroni Kastro, because “kastro” is the Greek name for a fortress or castle. I don’t know why Koroni Castle is named with the English word “castle”. Maybe it sounds cooler? (Castle of Koroni is another name that is used.) Anyway, this is a place that I think everyone who travels to Koroni should visit, even if you stay in the surrounding area, like in Kalamata, Finikounda or Pylos.
View of the village of Koroni. Koroni Castle is located under the red arrow.
Koroni Castle is the best preserved of all the kastros I have visited in Greece. Not only that, a few families still live here, and the fact that people live in Greek kastros is unusual. Not unique, but unusual. Inside the walls there is also a nunnery where a group of nuns live. Examples of kastros where people still live are Kastro on Sifnos, Kastro on Antiparos and Kastro on Folegandros.
View of Koroni from the main gate to Koroni Castle.
Koroni Castle seen from Zaga beach. |
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Koroni Castle is not only the best preserved of all the kastros I have visited in Greece, it is also the largest by far, covering an area of approximately 62,000 square metres. Compare that to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, which covers an area of approximately 42,000 square metres.
Map of Koroni Castle from Google maps. Zaga beach on the left and Livadia on the right.
East of the fortress, at a lower elevation, there is a large flat area called Livadia, which has an area almost as large as the fortress itself. This flat area must have made the castle vulnerable and made the castle a potential target for enemy forces attempting to land and attack the fortress, although the landing of enemy forces was not particularly easy due to the rocky coastline.
Part of the defensive wall seen from Livadia. Kardamili is opposite (not visible in the picture).
Part of the defensive wall seen from Livadia. Kardamili is opposite (not visible in the picture). |
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Is Koroni Castle worth visiting? Yes, I really think it is. When you pass through the mighty gate, it feels like you are stepping into a completely different world, a peaceful world. An oasis full of silence. Apart from the meditative atmosphere, there are several interesting churches here, a nunnery that is still in operation, a beautiful park and a living cemetery. The cemetery is, as far as I know, the only one in Koroni. Panagia Eleistria church is, in my opinion, the most interesting of the churches. It is located in the southwest corner of Koroni Castle and is famous for its holy icons. If you are not interested in holy icons, you can instead enjoy the peaceful and beautiful park where the church is located, and the fabulous view of Zaga beach and Memi beach.
The Panagia Eleistria church.
As is often the case with holy icons in Greece, the discovery of the icons in Panagia Eleistria church was a miracle. There are many similar legends in Greece. Examples of this are the icons in the Mamma Mia church on Skopelos, the Panagia Evangelistria church on Tinos and the Panagia Hozoviotissa on Amorgos.
Tomb of Maria Stathakis in Koroni Castle.
According to legend, it was an elderly woman from Koroni - Maria G. Stathakis - who had visions of the icons. For fifteen years, the Virgin Mary showed her three small icons that were hidden in a crack in a large rock. The icons depicted Christ on the cross, the Virgin Mary and the Evangelist Luke. The icons were discovered on January 21, 22 and 23, 1897. The church of Panagia Eleistria was consecrated on December 26, 1900 and has been home to the holy icons ever since. The icons are not only believed to have healing powers, they are also said to be able to perform real miracles. Many visitors come to pray and seek healing or solace. The church celebrates its name on the first Friday after Easter.
The church of Panagia Eleistria is located in a very beautiful park.
The Panagia Eleistria church, the bell tower and the beaches of Zaga and Memi. |
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The entrance to the Monastery of Timiou Prodromou.
There is a souvenir shop in the Monastery of Timiou Prodromou.
The large cemetery in Koroni Castle.
The beautiful peaceful park in Koroni Castle.
When I was here, classical music was playing and it was a magical experience. |
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There are three gates to Koroni Castle, the main gate which is reached via a long staircase-shaped alley that starts down in Koroni, one on the eastern side near Livadia, and one on the southwestern side, near the church of Panagia Eleistra. The most pleasant way is to walk up the long steep alley that starts down in Koroni and ends at the grand gate that leads into the fortress. From here you are offered a magnificent view of Koroni. (See picture further up.)
The steep alley that leads from Koroni up to the grand gate.
The main gate to Koroni Castle.
The main gate seen from the other side. |
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