Panteli Kastro

Greece, Greece

---

Panteli Kastro, also known as the Castle of Leros or the Castle of Panagia, is a medieval fortress perched high above the island of Leros in the Dodecanese.

Built by the Byzantines in the 10th or 11th century on the site of an ancient acropolis, it occupies a strategic hilltop position overlooking the island’s bays and the surrounding Aegean Sea. Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and strengthened by the Knights of Saint John, who used it to defend the island against repeated Ottoman attacks.

Its long history reflects the changing rulers of the region, including Byzantines, Genoese, Hospitallers, Ottomans, Italians, and modern Greece. The fortress features multiple defensive walls, bastions, churches, underground cisterns, and the important Church of Panagia, which holds a special place in local religious tradition.

Today, Panteli Kastro is one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks, admired for its rich history, well-preserved medieval character, and spectacular panoramic views across Leros and the Aegean.