Rating
4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)
User Reviews
Ivan Radnev (17 months ago)
The Castle of Pythio, one of the most important and best preserved examples of military architecture in Greece. It was famous for its impregnable walls. It is located on a low mound at the northeastern end of the village of Pitio, near the river Evros, very close to the Turkish border. It was founded by John Cantakuzinus (later Emperor) around 1330-1340. It served as a residence and fortress during the civil war against Emperor John III Palaeologus. The use of the castle by the Byzantines did not last long. It was one of the first fortresses captured by the Ottomans when they invaded Europe. The place became famous later, during the years of the Greek Revolution, because Patriarch Cyril VI, executed by the Ottomans in Adrianople in 1821, was buried here. The central tower of the fortress is square and imposing. It still stands and dates from 1331. Another, smaller tower of the same shape, but built at a later date, and the rampart between the two towers also survive. The second tower was built for defensive purposes only and has three floors. Part of the outer fortification of the fortress can be seen today in the modern village of Pitio. Besides being a work of military and defensive purpose, the fortress was also built as a magnificent monumental facility for the emperor. The Battle of Pythion near Dimotika is associated with the fortress, where the allied forces of the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaeologus, the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan-Alexander and the 4,000 men sent by the Serbian King Stefan Dušan under the command of Voivode Gradislav Borilović clashed with 10,000 Turkish cavalry , led by Orhan and the forces of his ally, the Byzantine co-emperor John VI Kantakouzin, who himself brought the old enemy of the empire - the Turks to Europe as his ally in the Civil War in Byzantium 1341-1347. The Ottomans won the battle known as the "Battle of Pythion" and Emperor Paleologus, who had previously failed to capture Edirne, fled from Dimotica to the island of Tenedos. This was the first decisive Ottoman victory on the continent and can be considered the beginning of their conquests in Europe.
The Castle of Pythio, one of the most important and best preserved examples of military architecture in Greece. It was famous for its impregnable walls. It is located on a low mound at the northeastern end of the village of Pitio, near the river Evros, very close to the Turkish border. It was founded by John Cantakuzinus (later Emperor) around 1330-1340. It served as a residence and fortress during the civil war against Emperor John III Palaeologus. The use of the castle by the Byzantines did not last long. It was one of the first fortresses captured by the Ottomans when they invaded Europe. The place became famous later, during the years of the Greek Revolution, because Patriarch Cyril VI, executed by the Ottomans in Adrianople in 1821, was buried here. The central tower of the fortress is square and imposing. It still stands and dates from 1331. Another, smaller tower of the same shape, but built at a later date, and the rampart between the two towers also survive. The second tower was built for defensive purposes only and has three floors. Part of the outer fortification of the fortress can be seen today in the modern village of Pitio. Besides being a work of military and defensive purpose, the fortress was also built as a magnificent monumental facility for the emperor. The Battle of Pythion near Dimotika is associated with the fortress, where the allied forces of the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaeologus, the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan-Alexander and the 4,000 men sent by the Serbian King Stefan Dušan under the command of Voivode Gradislav Borilović clashed with 10,000 Turkish cavalry , led by Orhan and the forces of his ally, the Byzantine co-emperor John VI Kantakouzin, who himself brought the old enemy of the empire - the Turks to Europe as his ally in the Civil War in Byzantium 1341-1347. The Ottomans won the battle known as the "Battle of Pythion" and Emperor Paleologus, who had previously failed to capture Edirne, fled from Dimotica to the island of Tenedos. This was the first decisive Ottoman victory on the continent and can be considered the beginning of their conquests in Europe.
Δημητρης Καρυπογλου (2 years ago)
The castle of Pythia was known during the Byzantine era as Empythion. It is majestic despite its abandonment nowadays. It was built by Ioannis Kantakouzenos in the 14th century to be his residence as well as his personal refuge during the time he was fighting to take the throne from the legitimate heir Ioannis III Palaiologos. At the time of the revolution, the village became known due to the fact that Patriarch Cyril VI, who was hanged in Adrianople in 1821, was buried here.
The castle of Pythia was known during the Byzantine era as Empythion. It is majestic despite its abandonment nowadays. It was built by Ioannis Kantakouzenos in the 14th century to be his residence as well as his personal refuge during the time he was fighting to take the throne from the legitimate heir Ioannis III Palaiologos. At the time of the revolution, the village became known due to the fact that Patriarch Cyril VI, who was hanged in Adrianople in 1821, was buried here.
ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ Manyyear (2 years ago)
An imposing building that stands tall and reminds you of other times. Unfortunately, it's closed. There is a sign with opening hours, but of course it is not observed... We are talking about Sunday. Which perhaps should have been the only day that it is open, allowing families to visit it. In any case, it is worth a visit even outside its enclosure.
An imposing building that stands tall and reminds you of other times. Unfortunately, it's closed. There is a sign with opening hours, but of course it is not observed... We are talking about Sunday. Which perhaps should have been the only day that it is open, allowing families to visit it. In any case, it is worth a visit even outside its enclosure.
Yiannis Karayiannis (3 years ago)
A great experience to watch fullmoon from up there..
A great experience to watch fullmoon from up there..
Petr Kalager (3 years ago)
Rare tower ? builded by Katakouzinos, John the 6th, the Byzantine Emperor, between 1330-40ad. In the beginning it was his house and then his main castle ? from which he could watch every move in the Andrianoupolis countryside , where today is Edirne area and fight against the legal successor of the Byzantine, John the 5th Palaiologos. In front , you can see the train line in which Orient Express used to until through and arrive to the Pithios Station. The whole building consists of four same long 15 meters sides and three flours.
Rare tower ? builded by Katakouzinos, John the 6th, the Byzantine Emperor, between 1330-40ad. In the beginning it was his house and then his main castle ? from which he could watch every move in the Andrianoupolis countryside , where today is Edirne area and fight against the legal successor of the Byzantine, John the 5th Palaiologos. In front , you can see the train line in which Orient Express used to until through and arrive to the Pithios Station. The whole building consists of four same long 15 meters sides and three flours.
