Μενδενίτσα/Mendenitsa - Castle of Mendenitsa

Μενδενίτσα/Mendenitsa

Τhe Castle of Mendenitsa

by the Initiative to promote the history of Mendenitsa

“The site is indeed one of the finest in Greece”, William Miller, British Historian

The Castle of Mendenitsa is situated in the northern slopes of Mount Kallidromos at the top of an imposing hill. Thanks to its unique location, the castle could monitor a large part of the Epiknemidian Lokris area and the sea zone from Maliakos to the northern Evoikos gulf. Its strategic position and spectacular views can only be appreciated if the visitor walks up to the top of the hill where the castle is located.

Views from inside (left) and outside (right) the castle

The Castle of Mendenitsa is a medieval castle that was built by the Lombard knight Guido Pallavicini at the beginning of the Frankish occupation of Greece, soon after the fall of Constantinople in 1204. Then, the Marquisate of Boudonitza was established under the auspices of the king of Thessalonica Boniface of Montferrat. The castle is founded on the ruins of an ancient acropolis, possibly that of the Hellenistic city of Farygae that is assumed by some historians to have succeeded the Homeric city of Tarfis.

The Castle of Mendenitsa was the most prominent Frankish stronghold in Central Greece, built for the purpose of controlling the narrows of Thermopylae and the main road to the south, which at those times was going through Mendenitsa and the nearby passage of Klisoura in mount Kallidromos. The castle has been vital in defending the Frankish territories in central and southern Greece, mostly against the Greek-controlled Epirus Despotate that dominated north-west Greece. The Marquisate of Boudonitza flourished for two centuries, until its castle was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1414. The last marquis, Niccolo II Zorzi fled to Venice.

The history of the Frankish Mendenitsa, is given in a monograph by William Miller, entitled “The Marquisate of Boudonitza 1204-1414”, published in the Journal of Hellenic Studies, in 1908. (see about this article in the sources of the webpage Marquisate of Bodonitsa).

The Turks, who appreciated its strategic importance, repaired the castle and used it to solidify their conquered territories, making Mendenitsa a key military governing post in Central Greece. After a four-century long Turkish occupation, the castle fell to the revolted Greeks in the first month of the 1821 national Hellenic revolution. After the Greek liberation in 1829, the castle was eventually abandoned as it was replaced by the nearby castle and city of Lamia, which became the main military and administrative center in Central Greece.

The Castle of Mendenitsa is one of the most important and best-survived medieval castles in Central Greece. It is however, and unfortunately, neglected by the minicipal, regional and ministirial authorities. This remissness needs to be stopped and proper action has to be taken to maintain and restore the monument, and promote its historical value and importance.

Relative web links

1) Visit website "Kastrologos" Castles of Greece, HERE

2) Visit Andrew Sawyer’s website 'Castles of Greece', HERE

3) Aerial (drone) views of the Mendenitsa Castle and historical information HERE

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