The Patras Castle was built during the second half of the 6th century on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. Located on the low hill of Panachaicon mountain is being approximately 800 meters from the shore. The walls enclose an area of 22.725 sq.m. consisting of a triangular outer enclosure reinforced with towers and ramparts, which were protected by a deep moat. An inner courtyard rising in NE angle is also surrounded by a moat. Manufactured by Justinian, for the defense of the region and its inhabitants after the catastrophic earthquake of 551 BC, by pre-Christian materials. In the following centuries and until the Second World War, it remained there for the defense of the city, but also as an administrative and military center. In Byzantine centuries, until the arrival of the Franks, (1205) was besieged by the Slavs, the Saracens, the Bulgarians, the Normans etc. but they could not conquer it. In 805 AD city residents were besieged by Slavs and Saracens and their victory was attributed to a miracle of the patron Saint Andrew. That was important for halting the barbarian invasions in the Peloponnese. Franks crusaders made the castle grower and strengthener and they opened moats on its three sides. In 1278 it was mortgaged to the Latin Archbishop while in 1408 was granted to the Pope for five years and after that for rent to the Venetians. In the hands of the Latin Archbishop stayed until 1430 and then was released by Constantine Paleologos. Constantine moved to additions and repairs of the walls. Conquered during the Turkish occupation and passed into the hands of Greeks in 1828 as it was set free from the French general Maison. In the years 1941-1944 was at the German’s occupation of which was released along with Patras on 4th October 1944. Since 1973 the castle is in the supervision of the 6th Committee of Byzantine Antiquities. The movable theater (640 seats), located in the interior courtyard, hosts every summer cultural events. The building phases distinguished in the castle are a testimony of the work done by each of its conquerors to repair and adapt to developments in military technology. In a special recess in the masonry, are built into the wall and torso statue head man Roman. This disfigured statue took dimensions of a myth in the eyes of Patras residents. It became the haunt of the city, called "Patrinela". Tradition says that it was a woman transformed into a man during the Turkish occupation and guards the city from epidemics, crying at night, when a famous resident of Patras dies. ---- Opening hours daily 08.00 - 15.00 (except Mondays) Admission free / Tel .: 2610 623 390
Under the patronage of Commerce and Import Association of Patras