Hoplite

One of the rarest fortifications of the Hellenistic period, the stone-built tower of Agia Marina of Kea, is in grand danger likely because of intense weather conditions and neglectfulness. First constructed in the 4th c. BC The tower is square (10X10 m), five-storey, 20m height; approximately bowsprit made from local slate and marble (context exposures, angles, top floor). It is an example of a single fortified tower of the Hellenistic period, one of the highest surviving ancient buildings. In the hinterland of Kea, between the cities and Korisias and Poiiessa, worked as a defensive fortification to protect the surrounding rural area. Around 1600, it was founded the monastery of Agia Marina, the tower was included in the precinct also for defensive reasons. On the 8th of September 1858 the tower was collapsed following an earthquake and some of the material used for the repair of neighboring buildings and is in decline ever since. The north side of the tower survives, while the others have been collapsed. The conservation status is considered by the Ministry of Culture as dangerous.

This unique monument, which is considered a symbol of Kea, was a usual  attraction for the tourists, some of which reported in the early 19th century that the monument was kept in very good condition. A few days ago the Greek Society for Environment and the Culture raised money for a study of scaffolding support of the Kea’s tower during a weekend of cultural events in cooperation with the municipality of the island.

Source: To Vima and the Ministry of Culture, 11/09/2009

After  a year of its establishment the “Union of Medieval Castles” have already 48 members, prefectures, municipalities and communities from all over Greece enlisted. Additionally they put forward a proposal to establish June 24th as the “Day of Castles” for further promotion of the medieval monuments of Greece. “We submit our proposal for the June 24 to be officially introduce as the Day of Castles”, says the director of the Union, Mr Nick Delivorias. Recipients of the proposal are the relevant departments of the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO, and requested the promotion and creative use of all of these fine buildings and wall defenses, which can be found in many parts of Greece.

The medieval castle is the very poor family member in relation to ancient monuments. Not all of course share this poor relationship as some have become attached and meet grand interest from the public and the state. But many are missing the “care” from the general public and the official state. It seems that the medieval castles do not get into our national DNA as integral parts of our historic landscape, such as an ancient temple.

The initiative for the establishment of the Union has been taken by the Medieval Studies Institute, established in 2005 by executives of local authorities focused on Mystra. In one year the Union has achieved a good communication and cooperation with the competent services of the Ministry of Culture and the prospect for expanding the number of members is positive.

Unfortunately, this year, the objective of designating June 24 as the Day of Castles has not meet with success but is believed that can be postponed for 2010. We remain, however, to familiarize the public with the architectural heritage of medieval times, a piece of Greek history, rather degraded or fragmentary knowledge.

Also the fate of Greek medieval castles can now relay further to the Union from their maintenance. It is important that the Union, which is legally a non-profit organization, has as members prefectures and municipalities, as an intermediary between wealthy citizens and the central government which can support restoration projects.

The visits of castles, one main demand of the Day of Castles, increasing the tourist potential of each region and promotes the development of a tourism theme. Moreover, there are programs and networks for castles and fortresses across Europe to exchange experience and cultivation of scientific dialogue.

Source: Kathimerini, 24/06/09

Two hundred years after the first “patriotic” restoration, an effort by Theodoros Kolokotroni, the Castle of Karytaina, at Gortyna Arcadia, Greece, which was threatened with collapse, it is now an object of study and restoration.

It has been called the “Toledo of Greece,” as it raises uniquely above the horizon as a natural fortress in the mountains of Arcadia, at an altitude of 582 meters, over the plain of Megalopolis and surrounded by deep canyons that opened the two rising rivers: the Alpheios and Lousious.

The history of the Castle of Karytaina, “a beautiful stronghold” according to the Chronicle of Morea, is been reflected in a high vertical walls with its monumental gates and towers. Today some of the gates are been supported by wooden braces, while the main gate, which was completely lost, recently has bee discovered.

Among the ruined buildings squeezed in with the wild vegetation, is been distinguished, perhaps, traces of the ramshackle church of St. George, that has been demolished by the “master of Karytaina and famous soldier Ntefre De Brier” when he built the castle in the middle of the 13th century at the deserted tower of the mailed Frankish barons. During the 19th century Karytaina hold stone houses, a school and a market, was a model of local development, but the castle was abandoned gradually as a result that even the reputation of the name of Kolokotroni has been able to stop it. Today to reach the ruins of the Gerou tou Morea’s house (Theodoros Kolokotronis ) – is a big old house outside the walls that served as headquarters – you must cross a very dangerous path.

The Byzantine tower-house, which spans the Byzantine architecture of the Mistras – rich with clay roof tiles’ decoration – the tower-houses of Mani, is by name a protected monument. The church of St Mary which repaired by Kolokotronis has been cared for restoration, but still faces problems of moisture. The other buildings in the vicinity of the Castle, the Byzantine five-arched bridge of length 50 meters, and the Byzantine churches create a live set of Medieval Greece that was left intact, but smoke from the electric plant at Megalopoli threatens to accretion and erosion in limestone and accelerates the aging of the monuments.

Some survey sections by the archaeologist Elizabeth Giannoulis presented a great number of problems in the Castle of Karytaina. This seemed to be forgotten, that the main gate of the Castle is now inaccessible and must be restored and to reestablish the path that leads to it.

Rescue restorations on the collapse sections have been made by the Ministry of Culture up to 2003. Only recently the head of the National Bank T. Arapoglou visited Castle and view the present situation of its collapse, and agreed to fund – with a contract signed with the Municipality Gortyna – nine studies, which have already begun and will be completed in May 2010 for the photogrammetric mapping and representation of the Castle with GPS system, its pathology, gathering historical data to identify problems and take forward proposals for restoration.

Studies concerning the path, the entrance of the castle, the perimeter wall, the Kolokotroni’s house, the full restoration of Mantzouranogianni Tower, the Tower of Leventainas, the St Mary’s Church (Castle’s Virgin) and the overall enhancement of the archaeological site estimated cost is at 100,000 euros. But this is a necessary first step.

690 years of history:

• 1320. The castle founded by Godefrigo De Brier.
• 1323. Occupied by the Palaiologos Andronikos Asan and passes into the Despotate of Mystra.
• 1463. Siege by the Venetians, and then occupied by the Ottomans.
• 1826. Repaired by Theodoros Kolokotronis.
• 1833. Offered as a “gift” to King Otto.
• 1988-2003. Rescue restorations by the V Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities in the collapse sections.

Source: Ta Nea, P. Katimertzi, 16/6/09

There is a need for general maintenance and a repair project for the Palace of Grand Masters in Rhodes according to what have been stated the day before yesterday at a meeting of the Central Archaeological Council (KAS), Athens, Greece. It was underlined that the implementation of the maintenance’s study on the battlements, which have been collapsed a year ago, is of immense importance. Long-term goal is the delivery a safe use of the Palace, with the removal of excessive loads (i.e. archaeological warehouses, oil tanks), and a complete plan for an anti-seismic system.

In three years is expected to be completed the restoration which was discussed and approved by the Central Archaeological Council.

Source: To Ethnos, A. Kotti, 5/3/09

The cylindrical tower of the north-east angle of the walls of Thessalonica, the so-called “Triangle Tower” (Tower of Trigoniou), in the Old City, together with the White Tower and the Tower of Vardar, are considered to be the strongest defensive structures which were built to the Turks to reinforce key points of the Byzantine fortifications. For decades, these structures were hiding their secrets well, but especially the “Triangle Tower”. This monument was unknown to many, and remained inaccessible to the public, and to scientists who wanted to study.

Fortunately, at the initiative of the 9th Ephorate of the Byzantine Monuments, the Tower’s excellent sample of fortification architecture was stabilized and partially restored with funding from the European Union and other sources. The Tower is not yet delivered by the Ministry of Culture, however, already the tower can be visited in a small specified area.

Source: Kathimerini, G. Sykka, 21/2/09

On the statement by the President of the Parliamentary Group Syriza – an extreme left win party -  by Alekos Alavanos, on 9 January 2009, at the House with a record no. 48/2008 concerning the announcement of a contest which posted on the Hellenic Army General Staff (GES) to supply materials of total budget of EUR 60,000, the Army General Staff, states the following:

In September 2008, a tender for the supply of materials so that they only be used by forces abroad involved in Peace Support Operations [(NRA) - Peace Missions].

The materials are designed to be used for disabling-repelling individuals, and their needed numbers are up to 60 pieces of each type and consist of non-ballistic missile shields to protect a person, non-ballistic missile shield for body protection, glops, plastic strap attachments and hand grenades of tire bead, fulminates-Flash grenades which are essential for crowd control.

After the experience gained by the participation of our country in NRA, we found the need for these materials to be available for our forces involved in NRAs, so that they will be able to meet the requirements of missions in order to best protect and secure themselves.

Grigorios Grigoriadis
Spokesman GES

The MP, Alekos Alavanos, pointed in his statement (no. 48/2008) that these material are intended to be used by the army against Greek civilians and namely “to tackle youth movement”, and continues that the Riot Police probably will take as an example this new Army’s supply and request such crowd control material  for themselves.

Source: HELLENIC GENERAL ARMY STAFF