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The excavation of the castle at Gynaikokastro

• Τούρτα, Αναστασία Γ.

The Byzantine castle of Gynaikokastro is situated 59 km north-northwest from Thessaloniki, in the Kilkis region. In the History, written by John Katakouzenos, there is interesting information concerning its foundation, name, geographic location and its role in the history of C. Macedonia and Thessaloniki during the 14th century. According to him, the castle was built by emperor Andronikos the Young (1326-1341), in one day distance far from Thessaloniki. It was equipped with strong fortification walls and a tower, so that even women guards could defend it; it was named after this, Gynaikokastro, castle of women. It was occupied by Gazes Evrenos in1373-74.The excavation and restoration of this castle have started in 1984. Its plan is trapezoid, occupying an area approximately 25.000 sq.m. The length of the walls is 614 m. The citadel (2000 sq.m.) occupies the northeastern part. The plan of the tower, which is located at the highest area is rectangular (13.5x9.30 m.) and the thickness of the walls 1.60 m.; the walls are preserved up to 7.5 m. high. They are made of irregular stones with a careless cloisonné and bands of bricks at irregular intervals. The ground floor and the first floor survived. There was probably a second floor, too. A vertical wall divides the first floor into two rooms. A cistern is found below the western room. While a vaulted staircase (0.50 m. wide and 0.70 m. high)was discovered inside the wall, occupying its thickness; it led to the area below the eastern wall. Fallen wall-paintings were found outside the tower and along the western wall, suggesting the existence of a chapel in the tower. A monogram of the Palaeologoi was found in a fragment of a wall-painting. It probably belonged to an owners’ inscription.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

φρούρια, Κιλκίς, συνέδρια

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