Chlemoutsi Castle

Hlemoutsi Castle is located in the village of Kastro, on the westernmost promontory of the Peloponnese and overlooks the plain of Ilia. The castle was founded in 1220-1223 by the ruler Godfrey I and was the strongest fortress of the Frankish principality of Achaea, during the time of the Villarduenes. The new castle was named by the founders of Clermont, Greek for the root Chlemoutsi, while the Venetians later called it Castel Tornese because it was mistakenly believed to be the site of the Frankish mint of Tornis. It defended the capital of the Principality of Andravida and the important port of Glarenza. In 1427 it came under the control of the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine Paleologus, who used it as a military and administrative center. In 1460 the castle was occupied by the Turks and then by the Venetians, who held it until 1715, when it again fell into Turkish hands. It remained under Turkish occupation until the revolution of 1821. Parts of the castle were severely damaged during the siege by Ibrahim Pasha in 1826. Today, Hlemoutsi Castle is one of the most important and well-preserved medieval castles in Greece.

Every year, Hlemouthsea Castle puts on a medieval knighting event. 

At the event you will see a parade of knights, sword fights, archery, stories about life in the Middle Ages, weapons of the time and much more in a cozy candlelit atmosphere. Activities are organized for children too, where they take part in medieval games.