Halki Castle, Halki, Greece

Halki Castle is located on the hill of St. Nicholas over the old village of Halki. It was built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th-15th century over the ancient Hellenistic citadel. From there they were able to control the sea routes, the harbor and the Trachean peninsula. Inside the castle are the ruins of the medieval church of St. Nicholas. At the gate the emblem of the Grand Master of the knights Pierre d’Aubusson (1476-1503) is engraved.

Today, the castle is accessed through a paved path from where the view is just fascinating. The back side of the hill is rough and its slopes lead to the sea. At the foot of the castle, there are three small chapels dedicated to Virgin Mary, to Saint Nicolas, and to the Holy Trinity.

References:

kastra.eu

User Reviews

Κωνσταντίνος Καλογεράς (3 years ago)
I decided to give my opinion based on the view from the road. I didn't go up the castle but from other reviews I read, I had the impression it would be fairly easy to go up the castle. But this picture clearly shows it's not all that easy. Anyway if you are in shape, and again based on photos I saw, it's worth the walk.

Michaela Sharman (thehungrytravellers.blog) (4 years ago)
Steep climb through the old town to the Kastro but it is so worth it, Great to clamber amongst this site and the views are jus amazing

lb lokabandhu (6 years ago)
Amazing views and wonderful solitude! Come up when the full moon is rising over the sea, or the sun is setting...

Alex Birkett (7 years ago)
Very nice to see the restorations made after years of neglect. Would be nice if there were a few more info boards with some history and interpretations in the chapel and in the castle itself as there isn't much to explain what is what when you're up there. Either way, it's a must for early morning and sunset views.

Hannah Burnett (7 years ago)
Great views. Signposts up to the castle as well as a proper path. There are notice boards with some historic information on in Greek and English.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Halki Castle

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