Κάστρο Καρύταινας - Castle of Karytaina

Castle Karytaina, preached as overriding Byzantine monument of the country (Northwest 02/25/1922, OG 28 / SD '/ 02.26.1922), along with traditional village, which is built at the meeting point of two rivers Alpheus and Lucius, on a rock dominating the plain of Megalopolis. The location, according to Pausanias, who found the ruins 176 AD, was inhabited since ancient times and here placed Ancient City Vrenthi, which devastated Epaminondas to create the village of Megalopolis. Later, in the 7th and 8th centuries AD, in this area they took refuge the inhabitants of Gortyn. With the conquest of the Peloponnese by the Franks in 1205 Karytaina became barony with 22 fiefs. In the place where the Franks chose to build the castle, should Byzantine settlement existed. The Castle was built in the 13th century hilltop by Geoffrey de Brigier first baron Karitena. He joined the defense system of the Frankish Principality of Achaia and stood strong resistance core and base of operations.

It has an elongated shape, almost triangular, and follows the terrain. Its total length is about 110m., While the wider portion of which is in the south, up to 40m. The walls are vertical, preserved to a height 6-7 meters in some parts of them distinguished newer repairs.

After 1320 Karytaina received at Palaiologoi until 1458, when occupied by Turks. In 1685 they were occupied by the Venetians, who held it until 1715. Then reconquered again by the Turks until the final release. During the Greek revolution, namely in 1826, Theodoros Kolokotronis repaired the castle in order to use it as a shelter for the civilian population and at the same time as a base against Ibrahim.

Today Karytaina, designated as preserved traditional village, preserves a significant monumental wealth, such as the Castle, called "Kolokotronis House", many Byzantine churches, Byzantine tower, one of the first Kapodistrias schools, the Alpheus bridge with chapel of Our Lady, the ruins of a Turkish hammam and several tall stone houses. The central gate of the Castle and only entrance to the interior of the situated in the middle of the south side of the walls.