Zarafona Castle, Sparta, Greece

Zarafona Castle is a good sample of late medieval fortification architecture. It is in relatively good condition According to an inscription found on the west external wall, the castle was constructed in the period that the Despotate of Moreas was governed by Theodoros II Paleologos (1407-1448). Therefore it was a construction of the first half of the 15th century, part of the effort of the Byzantines to confront the Ottoman threat.

The castle has an almost trapezoid layout and covers an area of 745 square meters. There are 3 towers, two at the west wind and two at the east. The walls are divided in 5 straight parts of vertical walls.

The central tower is much higher than the other buildings and the walls. It has 3 levels. The ground-floor houses a cistern.

User Reviews

Manos Meli (3 months ago)
I lost the Drone due to battery, but when I found it after a lot of trouble, it was worth the whole adventure ?

George Syros (7 months ago)
A nigh abandoned, rarely visited gem. It is well worth a visit, and it is quite easily accessible. The last 200-300m must be done on foot, but the incline is not too steep.

Konstantinos Mitsouras (8 months ago)
It’s unfortunate that the locals haven’t fully capitalized on this hidden gem. The road leading to the castle is quite challenging, even for those driving a 4x4 like our Jeep Cherokee. As you approach the castle, the road becomes impassable due to large rocks, forcing visitors to hike the last 150-200 meters on foot. Sadly, the castle itself shows signs of neglect, with no visible efforts to preserve its historic charm. Without proper maintenance, it’s slowly succumbing to the elements.

ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ ΒΛΑΧΟΣ (14 months ago)

Jim Kar (2 years ago)
The castle is magnificent, the place where it is built is strategic and the view will compensate you. It's really a shame that it's falling apart, it deserves to be repaired and highlighted... With on-off motorbikes that we visited we arrived relatively comfortably, There is no signpost, you will rely on Gps to get there, it's very close from the village of Kallithea via a dirt road. If you're in the area, it's worth a visit.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

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