Bóchali Venetian Castle

Zakynthos, Greece

The Castle of Zakynthos was completed by the Venetians in 1646 AD and the Winged Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of the Venetian empire, stands above the main entrance. In those times the castle was the seat and residence of the Venetian Proveditor, administrator of the island, and other officials. Due to time, war attacks and earthquakes, the castle was partly damaged.

When the British Empire took over the Ionian islands in 1812, the castle was reconstructed and new buildings were built, including barracks, powder stores and the house of the British Parliament.

Many churches were also found inside the castle walls, such as the Byzantine Church of the Savior (San Salvatore or Domo) that dates from the 12th century, the 14th century Church of Saint Francis, the church of Santa Barbara, the church of the Virgin Mary Laurentena and the church of Saint John the Baptist.

References:

greeka.com

Castles and fortifications in Greece

Address

Zakynthos, Greece

See all sites in Zakynthos

Details

Founded: 1646
Category: Castles and fortifications in Greece

More Information

www.greeka.com

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Panagia Skopiotissa Monastery (6,2 km)

Agios Georgios Castle (49 km)
Monastery of Agios Gerasimos (49,6 km)
Anafonitria Monastery (22,6 km)
Chlemoutsi Castle (24,5 km)
De Bosset Bridge (55,2 km)
Ancient Theater of Elis (44 km)
Agios Andreas Monastery (48,1 km)
Sami Acropolis (55,6 km)
Saints Fanentes Monastery Ruins (55,2 km)

User Reviews

Angus McKenzie (5 months ago)
Unfortunately, aside from the gatehouse, the rest of the citadel is in ruins, and there is very little information available to make a tour of the ruins more interesting. Good views of Zakynthos, but there is a nice square near the entrance to the castle with a few cafes with similar views!

Nikolas A. (5 months ago)
Abandoned but you have to pay a ticket......no information almost anywhere to be found. Just a big pine-park with a great view and venetian ruins. only open until 15:30 couldn't get worse....

Rene Cicero (6 months ago)
The best view point of Zante during the day and Night. They charge 4 euros for the entrance, but is amazing place

Liam Pearce (8 months ago)
An interesting place to walk around almost completely covered by pine trees. Amazing views at the vantage points across Zante, Kalamaki and Laganas! Neither the Toilets or Refreshments kiosk were available on the day we visited.

Sónia Esteves (2 years ago)
Great history about the building, unfortunately it will cost €4 pp and it doesn’t worth the time and money due to the poor state of conservation of the different buildings ( most of it in ruins) that aren’t preserved.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright discopalace

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.