Antiparos Castle
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1538Moss
N 37° 02.434 E 025° 04.752
35S E 329176 N 4101097
The first town to be constructed on Antiparos still exists. It was built as a Venetian fortification, although it is difficult to see this today. However, the fortified walls still exist and are in use as dwellings. The town was placed some distance from the sea, about half way across the islands at its narrowest part, at the north end. This meant one had an equal distance to walk to the sea whether one chose to go east or west. The only entrance to the "courtyard" is from the south, like it has
Waymark Code: WMCVW
Location: Greece
Date Posted: 05/17/2006
Views: 23
These kind of fortifications were quite common in the 15th cent. There are better preserved examples on Kimolos and Folegandros. The method of construction is really quite simple. The houses were built close together, forming a square, in such a way that the houses themselves became the protective fortifications. The houses were 3 stories high, without windows and doors on the outside walls, only some small openings. The houses themselves are still standing and are in use, although most have now got doors and windows in the outer walls. Some have even become shops and taverns. If you go into the courtyard, you will see the remnants of a building in the centre. There is some uncertainty about what this has been, but it is believed to have been either a kind of fortification within the fortifications, or perhaps the residence of the chief of the area.
As you can see from the drawing, there are many staircases on the inside. Most of them remain today. On the whole, the fortifications look like this still, except from a couple of churches which have been built more recently. A big water tank has also been built on top of what was once in the centre of courtyard.
Walking around inside the courtyard is a peaceful experience. Even though Antiparos must be said to be a quiet island, it still has its fair share of noise and activity. But in here there is peace and quiet. You seldom meet other people, only a few cats. A good place for catlovers! Many of the pictures on the cat page were taken here