Description of the attraction
Mytilene Castle is a famous fortress in the town of Mytilene on the island of Lesvos. The fortress is located on a picturesque hill that rises between the northern and southern ports of the city and is an important architectural and historical monument.
Historians believe that the fortress was built in the 6th century AD. (presumably during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I) on the ruins of the ancient acropolis. The first significant changes in the architecture of the fortress were made in the second half of the 14th century, when the island was ruled by the Gattilusio family.
In 1462, the fortress of Mytilene was captured by the Ottomans and suffered extensive damage during the assault. Significant damage was done to the fortress during the Turkish-Venetian War (1499-1503). In 1501, by order of Sultan Bayezid II, the fortress was restored, and two new round towers were built. In 1643-44, under the leadership of Bekir Pasha, in order to strengthen the fort, additional fortress walls were erected, in front of which a wide and deep ditch was dug. Some fortifications were also added in 1677, and in 1756 another polygonal tower was built near Epano Scala harbor. During the Ottoman rule in Lesvos, the Kule mosque, Tekke monastery, madrasah, imaret, etc. were also erected on the territory of the fortress.
During the First Balkan War, the island of Lesvos was conquered by Greece. Over time, the Mytilene fortress fell into decay, and some of its structures were used as building materials for the construction of new buildings.
However, the fortress of Mytilene has survived very well to this day and today it is one of the most famous and interesting sights of Lesvos. Even today you can see the famous "royal tower", where the residence of Francesca I Gattilusio was located, a huge ancient cistern (probably of the Byzantine, and possibly even the Roman period), a Turkish bath (on the territory of the so-called "lower castle"), underground tunnels that served as reliable a refuge in times of war and more.
During the summer, various festivals, concerts and other cultural events are held within the castle walls.
