Methoni Castle

Methoni, Greece, Greece

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Methoni Castle is one of Greece’s most impressive medieval fortresses, located on a rocky peninsula in the town of Methoni in southwestern Peloponnese.

Built and expanded by the Venetians after 1209, it served as a major stronghold controlling important sea routes between Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Together with the nearby fortress of Koroni, Methoni became known as one of the “Eyes of Venice” because of its strategic role in protecting Venetian trade and naval interests. Over the centuries, the castle was contested by Venetians and Ottomans, leading to repeated sieges, expansions, and military improvements.

The fortress covers a large area and features massive walls, a moat, gates, bastions, churches, cisterns, and the famous Bourtzi, an octagonal tower standing on a small fortified islet connected to the castle by a narrow causeway. Today, Methoni Castle is one of the best-preserved Venetian castles in Greece, attracting visitors with its rich history, remarkable architecture, and spectacular views of the Ionian Sea.