Sights/What To See |
The castle of
Salona.
The castle of Salona, the legendary castle of Oria, is a
monument of ancient Greece and the middle ages, a still witness of the citys
historical journey.
It consists of buildings distinguished by three main
periods: These are the Pre-Hellenic and Mycenaean to the Classical era, the
Byzantine and Roman era, the Frank’s and the Catalan era and even the Turkish
occupation. The oldest buildings date from the 7th century BC with boulders
and multiple structural interventions and techniques in subsequent
periods.
What has been saved: - The second surrounding (todays
external walls) with the ancient wall. On that wall, walls of later buildings
have been erected, such as the northern side of the ruined Frankish Church of
Agia Sophia, located at the end of the road leading to the entrance of the
castle. Under the Frankish church ruins, there is another medieval church.
- The third and innermost precinct includes the highest part of the
prime Acropolis of Amfissa. At the entrance, there is an internal Gateway made
of boulders from the Mycenaean period. In the center of the area stands the
best-preserved medieval round tower, which bears the name The Queens Tower ,
while in the center there are the remains of three more towers , a round one and
two square ones.
The tradition says that in 1393 Salona was ruled by a
Frank priest named Stratos, on behalf of the Catalan widow of Louis, who was
violent, and greed and who pressured the citizens. He kidnapped the most
beautiful niece of Bishop Seraphim named Areti; he imprisoned her in the castle
and killed her. Thus,the castle of Salona was also called Castle of Oria
(=beautiful),to commemorate the beautiful and unjustly death of Areti.
At
the highest northern - eastern end of the Castle there is a cliff that tradition
named the Jump of the vasilopoula after the wonderful princess Maria of Salona,
who fell off the cliff in order to avoid falling into the hands of the Turks and
disgracing her. Maria was the youngest daughter and heir of the Catalan Count
Louis - Frederick and the Greek, Byzantine Countess Helen Katakouzenos.
At the foot of the Castle, towards the south, the area is called wells,
there are two communal taps, an ancient fountain of Artemis and (Diana) and at a
short distance from this, lies the Source of Oria. On the east side, is the
Katreli tap, whose water is said to be good for digestive. In the inner
courtyard of the castle there was a secret gallery which led to the taps for
water to those who took refuge in the castle to protect themselves from
attacks.
The area of Salona had the greatest contribution to the Greek
Revolution of 1821. The castle played the most important role, which was
liberated after a ten-day siege, on Easter day, on April 10, 1821 and was the
first free Castle.
Tradition also says that the Castle of Oria is also a
base ... for the stihia (traditional spirits), which during the three days of
Lent Monday are honored. This is because they walk in the evenings in the narrow
streets (alleys) of the old district of tanners, Charmaina, dragging their
chains, in order to chase away the evil spirits...... Until then, walking
under the hospitable pines, alongside the remains of buildings that still
survive in spite of the centuries, caressing ... the imagination.
The
view, watching it from above the grove of Amfissa looks like a huge silver
carpet and even a simple camera will not refuse this display
.....
Certainly the view of the Castle and from anywhere in the city, is
unique. If the mountain peaks behind the Castle are snowy, or even..... If
the almond trees have blossomed embracing the foot of the Castle and in the
evenings sitting proudly in its bright throne, the show creates a dreamlike
reality....... Moreover, the magnificence of the view that can be enjoyed by
the visitor was also reported by Pausanias.
The legendary Castle of Oria
is a coat of arms for Amphissa and its residents and it is a link to them
because it is one of the most important elements of their collective memory. |
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