Castle of
Aigosthena
The fortress of Aigosthenes is in Porto Germeno , 450 meters from the sea. It is an ancient fortress that was used during the Byzantine times. It is considered the best preserved fortress of antiquity.
In the classical period, the time when the fortress was built, Aigosthena was a comma of Megara . The exact date of construction of the fortress ranges between the early 4th to the early 3rd c. e.g. According to the latest research, it seems very likely that it was built in 343 BC, with the help of the Athenians after their alliance with the Megarians to deal with the Theban danger. An Athenian guard was installed in the fortress for this purpose.
The site, however, must have been fortified in the past, as the city of Aegosthenes experienced great prosperity around 1500 BC. until 700 BC.
Due to its border location, the city belonged to the Megarians and the Athenians from time to time. He was a member of the Achaean Confederation and for a short period of time the Common of Boeotia.
The top of the hill at Aigosthena is occupied by its citadel, 190m x 80m, which is defined by a perimeter with towers. The east side is preserved at an impressive height, is reinforced by four towers and has a small gate. The towers have isodomic masonry while the wall is sometimes trapezoidal, polygonal or irregular.
The most impressive feature of the fortress is the tower of the southeast corner of the citadel. It is square, with a side of 8.9 m and a height of about 20 m. An entrance on its north side allowed it to communicate with the perimeter of the wall.
Inside the tower, beams to support wooden floors indicate three floors. Arched windows have been opened on the three vulnerable sides, while on the top floor, which was housed with a gabled roof, three catapult windows strengthened the defensive character of the tower. A total of 16 of the fortification towers are preserved.
The citadel was connected to the port by long walls of which only the north is now visible, with at least two gates, reinforced by eight towers.
In Aigosthena, the cult of the hero and seer Melamboda is testified, whose sanctuary is estimated to be located under the citadel, in the area within the long walls.
An indication of the continuation of habitation during the early Christian times is the five-aisled basilica of the 5th c. A.D. with mosaic floor, next to the newest small church of Panagia, built with ancient building materials, including inscriptions. In the late post-Byzantine period, the acropolis hosted a monastery, from which the ruins of cells as well as the katholikon, the small church of Ag. Georgiou.
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