Castle of Geraki

In 1209, the French baron, Guy de Nivelet, built on the rock of the ancient Mycenaean city of Geronthi, the castle of the village Geraki, in order to be able to control his protectorate. In 1262, it was passed, along with the other castles of Mani, to the Byzantines. During the Byzantine Period, the area experienced a dramatic growth and it was decorated with beautiful churches. Geraki in the following years was inhabited by Turks and Venetians. Today, the castle is an open-air byzantine museum with ten byzantine churches that date back to the years between the 12th and the 15th century. The most noteworthy of those are: Saint Sozon and Saint Athanasius, the cross-roofed church of Saint Paraskevi, the monocline church of Zoodochos Pigi and the cross-roofed church of Taxiarchs, in the second peak of the Castle. Nowadays, Geraki, filled with legends and traditions reminds of the mystical atmosphere of the medieval times, before the visitor’s eyes unfolds narrow alleys, stone manors, ruins of churches and the domed gates.

The Castle of Geraki constitutes an open-air Byzantine museum, as it consists of ten scattered stone churches that date back to the 11th until the 15th century. On the highest level of the hill stands the Temple of Agios Georgios (11th century), with noticeable Frankish characteristics. Moreover, the shrine depicts the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus on the left hand, and the marble shrine of Agios Georgios with the heraldic and chivalric symbols that are special and unique. One of the most remarkable monuments is the cross-roofed church of Agia Paraskevi with 13th century murals in three levels, and the church of Agios Sozon. The most beautiful murals, with a vivid white color, can be found in the church of Zoodochos Pigi. Agia Theofania, the church of Prophet Elias and the one of Agios Dimitrios should also not be forgotten. At the second level of the hill, the visitor can see the church of Taxiarchs with the rare mural depicting the fall of Jericho by Jesus of Navi. Near the end of the settlement stands impressively Agios Athanasios, while 20 more churches are scattered outside the castle area.

References:

• mythicalpeloponnese.gr

Address

Evrotas, Greece

Details

Founded: 1209
Category: Castles and fortifications in Greece