The Castle of Astypalea

The Venetian Castle of Astypalea, also known as the Querini Castle, is a landmark of the island and, until the 19th century, it was the only settlement. This majestic structure crowns the hill in the enchanting Chora of Astypalea.

Inside the castle, there were approximately 400 houses, all three-storey buildings, built tightly next to each other, with narrow alleyways that barely allowed a person to pass through. It was a typical fortified settlement that once housed up to 4,000 inhabitants, according to visitors’ accounts.

The castle took its current form in 1413 after being rebuilt by Giovanni IV Querini, a noble Venetian who governed Astypalea after the siege of Constantinople in 1204.

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The castle boasted an excellent sewage system, ensuring hygienic living conditions for its residents. During the day, the inhabitants worked outside in the fields, but at night they would lock themselves inside the castle for fear of pirates. Above the entrance, there is still a hole, known as the “murder hole,” from which they would pour boiling water or release bees to fend off intruders.

Within the castle, you will find the Church of Panagia, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, built in the mid-19th century. The oldest church in the castle is that of Saint George, constructed in 1790. After 1930, houses began to be built outside the castle.

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