Sidirokastro in Achaea

Sidirokastro (Greek: Σιδηρόκαστρο literally "the iron castle") was a castle in Achaea, Greece, situated between the villages Krini and Kallithea. It is located on one of the foothills of the Panachaiko, the Omplos, near the Omblos Monastery in Zoitada. Little remains of the castle. It is unknown when exactly it was built, most likely by the Franks of the Principality of Achaea. It was used for the defense of Patras, around which the Venetians had built many small castle-fortresses.

It was first mentioned in a list of castles of Achaea in 1364. Nothing is known about its history, although it was situated in a strategical location next to the old road to Kalavryta, known as the Makelarias Road. It is believed that the iron gate of the Omplos Monastery is originally from the castle. The name "Sidirokastro" comes from the slate stones in the vicinity, that are called "sideropetra" ("iron stones") by the locals.

Text adapted from “Sidirokastro (Achaea)” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sidirokastro in Achaea ranks #7,975 of 8,134 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #118 of the 134 mapped in Greece. Founded 1364, it is older than 56% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 604 atlas entries founded in the 14th century. 6 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Patras, 9 km away. See how Greece compares in the castle statistics.

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