top of page
Writer's pictureShiny Greece

Kastro Village | The Old Isolated Fort of Thasos Island with the Serene Charm

Updated: Mar 13

Author

George Papadellis | SG Head


Kastro is a small village at 450 m. altitude, believed to be the oldest village of the island of Thasos. The name Kastro (means castle) comes from the ancient times, when there was an old castle to protect the inhabitants. The village can be reached by an asphalt road from Limenaria, and its population in 2011 was 9 people.


Kastro Village Thassos

The Village from a Drone | Photo by: 152759627 © Porojnicu | Dreamstime.com


History of the Village

When the island was ruled by the family Gattilusio (as was also Lesbos), an acropolis was built there, whose ruins can still be seen and which was used for many years as a shelter from pirates. In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople, many people arrived and settled in Kastro Greece and in Theologos. The village remained active until the end of the 19th century, protecting its inhabitants, due to its remoteness, from the Ottoman rule during the domination centuries.


Kastro Village Thassos | Shiny Greece

Traditional House of Kastro Thassos | Photo by: 98159025 © Porojnicu | Dreamstime.com


It was then that the inhabitants of Kastro Thasos saw a hope in moving to the coasts of the island, especially to the Kalyvia and Limenaria fishermen settlements, turning them into villages. The same thing happened with other villages of the mountains, such as Theologos (which formed Potos), Rachoni (which formed Skala Rachoniou) and Kazaviti (which formed Prinos).


Kastro Greece  |  Shiny Greece

Traditional Church in Kastro Thassos | Photo by: 16270679 © Cristiaciobanu | Dreamstime.com


Architecture of Kastro Thasos

Most of the village's houses have been restored by the families, who love this traditional isolated place. The most important buildings of the village are the Church of Saint Athanasios, a historical monument built in 1804 with the help of the inhabitants, and the old acropolis, whose remains are still there, serving as the village's ossuary.


Tags:

320 views1 comment

1 Comment

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
Guest
Apr 13
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Agios Athanasios church was built in 1804 in just 40 days!!!!

Like

Top Articles