Astypalaia Castle

Perched on the highest point of Astypalaia Chora, Astypalaia Castle is one of the island’s most distinctive landmarks. The castle was founded in 1413 by Giovanni Querini, a Venetian official of the Duchy of Naxos, at a time when repeated pirate raids had left the island largely deserted. Built from the island’s distinctive iron-rich stone on the site of the ancient acropolis, the fortress helped protect the settlement and played an important role in its revival.

The castle is particularly interesting for its defensive architecture. Its only entrance is on the southwest side and consists of a low, covered passage with vaulted ceilings. In several places, the outer walls were incorporated into the fortified walls of houses. Known as xokastra, these buildings formed a ring around the main fortress and provided an additional line of defence. Some of them have survived and are gradually being restored.

Most of the buildings inside the castle were destroyed by the major earthquake that struck Astypalaia in 1956. Today, visitors can still see the tower at the southern end of the fortress, known as the sarai, as well as two historic churches whose whitewashed walls stand out against the grey stone of the castle.

Near the entrance is the Church of Panagia tou Kastrou, built in 1853 and dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Building materials from the former Querini residences were reused in its construction.

Further inside the castle stands the Church of Agios Georgios, dating from 1790. The open area in front of the church was once the platsa, the central square of the fortified settlement where residents gathered for meetings and community events.

Visiting Astypalaia Castle

Astypalaia Castle is reached on foot through the narrow, picturesque streets of Chora. A visit is easily combined with a walk around the historic settlement, making it a natural stop when exploring Astypalaia Town.

One of the highlights is the view from the castle walls. From its elevated position, you can look across the deep blue waters of the Aegean and the coastline of Astypalaia. The castle is an excellent place to explore the island’s history and traditional architecture, take photographs and enjoy the scenery. The late afternoon is particularly pleasant, when the light creates striking views over the sea.

Astypalaia Castle is one of the island’s most important sights and a must-see for anyone exploring Chora and the history of Astypalaia.