Salmeniko Castle

38°16′03″N 21°56′20″E / 38.2675°N 21.9389°E / 38.2675; 21.9389

The Salmeniko Castle (Greek: Κάστρο του Σαλμενίκου, Kastro tou Salmenikou) or Orgia or Oria Castle (Κάστρο Οργιάς/Ωριάς, cf. Kastro tis Orias) was a castle at the foot of Panachaiko mountain, in the modern municipality of Aigialeia, Achaea, Greece. In 1461 it was the last garrison of the Byzantine Empire, holding out until eight years after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

History

The castle was first built by the local barons of the

Latin Principality of Achaea

between 1280 and 1310. With the years, a large town developed around it. The site was naturally strong, at the top of a hill behind which the river Foinikas ran. Because of the steep cliffs there, no fortifications were required on that side.

In 1460,

Devşirme

.

Graitzas however and a number of defenders still held out in the citadel. As a condition for surrendering it, he demanded free passage of his men. Mehmed accepted and departed unmolested for

Nafplion, Methoni and Koroni

) to the Ottomans.

Today, the castle and town lie in ruins, which are still visible on the site. A medieval bridge survives intact, while the "Oria rock" (Βράχος της Ωριάς), where, according to local tradition, a princess was killed by a traitor during the Ottoman siege, is nearby.

Sources

Kostas Triandafyllou, Historic Dictionary of Patras, 3rd edition, Patras 1995
Alexios Panagopoulos, Historic Dictionary of the Municipality of Rio, Achaia Prefecture, Peri Technon, Patras 2003
ISBN 960-8260-32-9

Stefanos Thomopoulos, History of the city of Patras, Patras 1999, Achaikes Publishers, Volume II

(in Greek) Erineos Municipality