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Agia Mavra Castle
This is a fortress rather than a castle, built in the 13th century by a Frankish ruler in order to defend the island, against pirates and other invaders. Located at the start of the floating bridge that connects mainland Greece with the island of Lefkada, it is one of the most imposing medieval castles in Greece and an exemplar of fortification art of that time. It covers 25,000 square meters of land and is surrounded by a moat and two lagoons. The fortress of Agia Mavra (also known as Santa Maura) is named after the church of Agia Mavra that is in its yard, and is undoubtedly one of the top sights of Lefkada, mainly because its historical interest and large size. On the outside it looks quite big but once you enter it seems much bigger.
The ramparts are in good shape and being able to walk along sections is pretty cool. A lot of the interior walls are fallen, but still plenty to be able to see what was what. The views as you walk around the ramparts are spectacular, and do not miss entering the small 15th century church of Agia Mavra which is within the fortress. The church commemorates St. Mavra with a feast each year on May 3rd and September 25th. The fortress is reasonably well maintained and work to consolidate is continuing on the site. It is a place well-worth visiting, but with little shade in the summer heat. Also, a good place to watch the bridge go up every hour.
History
The fortress stands there through hundreds of years of conquests, sieges, and natural disasters. It has a long and complex history, with additions built by almost all occupiers. It began as a small fortification, before it expanded to become a walled town and the island’s capital by the early 15th century. The first stage of construction was completed in 1302 AD by Giorgio Orsini when he took Lefkada as a dowry for his marriage with the daughter of the Despot of Epirus, Nicephorus I. During the centuries, the fortress changed hands several times. In 1479, it passed on the hands of the Ottomans, who rebuilt and enlarged it a century later. The fortress was captured by the Venetians, the Turks again, the French, the Russians, the French again, before being captured by the British, who controlled it until the cession of the Ionian Islands to Greece in 1864. Following the Union, the castle was garrisoned by the Greek army until 1922, when Asia Minor refugees were housed there. The fortress was eventually abandoned, and in 1938 most of the buildings with its walls were demolished. Today, you can still see the fortification walls, the main symbol of Venice (the Lion of Saint Mark) in many places, ruined buildings of the Venetian and Ottoman era, a lighthouse built on a west bastion, the tiny chapel of Agia Mavra, and the church of Pantokrator.
Opening hours
The castle is open to tourists who visit it in a large number every year and it houses various cultural events during the summer season. It is open 8 a.m. to 15 p.m. every day except Tuesday. The main entrance is on the west side of the site, and there is a 3-euro entry fee (children are discounted). From November 1 to March 31, the entry fee is 2 euros for both adults and children.
