Lazarοu castle

• Description

The Arab invasions and terror which prevailed at the midlle of 7th century, forced the residents of coastal areas to seek refuge in inaccessible mountainous areas. The fortification of the peak “Lazarοus”, belongs to this age.

It is located at the top of “Lazaros” of the mountain “Ampelos” (or Karvounis) at an altitude of 1,037 m., with a wide view at the north and south sea and to the plains of the island. The castle was built at the plateau of the top, with dimensions of 380 X 120 m. and had 500 houses, as mentioned by Emmanuel Kritikidis at 1869 in his book “Topography of Samos”. The last inhabitants of the castle, abandoned it in 1476 with the desolation of the island, moving to Chios and Asia Minor.

Few interesting traces have remained from the castle, like relics of the walls and the gate and the foundations of houses with the small church, obviously dedicated to Saint Lazarus from where it got its name.

 

• Features

• Construction time  : Midlle of 7th century
  
• Origin                      : Byzantine
• Castle Type             : Refuge-Castle
• Altitude                   : Elevation ≈ 1,037 m.
  
• Condition                : Ruins

• Admission

• Free access

Book source: “Samos Historical and archaeological guide” Author K.Tsakos

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