Astorga Roman Walls, Astorga, Spain

The Roman walls of Astorga were built at the end of the 3rd century AD or beginning of the next century. The reasons that caused its construction are related to a period of instability experienced in the last years of the Roman Empire, especially originated by the incursions of the barbarian towns from the center of Europe. The walls has a length of 2,2 km.

At the end of the thirteenth century, repairs were documented by the hand of Bishop Nuño, who is credited with an important building task in the city of Astorga. However, we do not know the scope of these contributions, which may have significantly altered the appearance of Roman fortification.

References:

Astorga Tourism

User Reviews

alberto martin lopez (6 months ago)
A visit through Roman antiquity, including museum, very nice. A must see. In addition Astorga and its area have other important things

Rafael Fernandez Qundez (10 months ago)
It is very worth the visit!

Abraham De Swardt (2 years ago)
Excrllent exhibits and guidance!

Philip Tindall (2 years ago)
Great museum, though English translation of exhibits had clearly been auto generated via a translate app, and often read like Yoda was giving the tour.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Honza Soukup

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Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle on the island of Corfu. It is located at the top of the highest peak of the island"s shoreline in the northwest coast near Palaiokastritsa and built on particularly precipitous and rocky terrain. It stands 305 m on a steep cliff above the sea and surveys the City of Corfu and the mountains of mainland Greece to the southeast and a wide area of Corfu toward the northeast and northwest.

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Angelokastro formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu"s defences to the south, northwest and northeast.

The castle never fell, despite frequent sieges and attempts at conquering it through the centuries, and played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate incursions and during three sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans, significantly contributing to their defeat.

During invasions it helped shelter the local peasant population. The villagers also fought against the invaders playing an active role in the defence of the castle.

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From 1387 to the end of the 16th century, Angelokastro was the official capital of Corfu and the seat of the Provveditore Generale del Levante, governor of the Ionian islands and commander of the Venetian fleet, which was stationed in Corfu.

The governor of the castle (the castellan) was normally appointed by the City council of Corfu and was chosen amongst the noblemen of the island.

Angelokastro is considered one of the most imposing architectural remains in the Ionian Islands.

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