| Rio Castle | |
|---|---|
κάστρο του Ρίου | |
| Rio,Western Greece | |
 The landwards gate and its ditch (2008) | |
| Site information | |
| Type | citadel |
| Owner | Greek Ministry of Culture |
| Controlled by |
|
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | ruin |
| Location | |
  Rio Castle | |
| Coordinates | 38°18′41″N21°46′52″E / 38.3114°N 21.7812°E /38.3114; 21.7812 |
| Site history | |
| Built by | Ottoman Empire |
| In use | until 1912 |
| Materials | hewn stone (ashlar) |
TheRio Castle (Greek:κάστρο του Ρίου), historically known as theCastle of the Morea (Italian:Castello de Morea) in opposition to its counterpart, theCastle of Rumelia atAntirrio, is located at the north tip of theRio peninsula inAchaea,Greece, at the entrance of theCorinthian Gulf. TheRio-Antirio Bridge is located next to it, and the local ferry docks lie on either side. Today it is used for cultural purposes, especially concerts and is a tourist attraction.
The castle was built by theOttoman SultanBayezid II in 1499 above the ruins of an ancient temple ofPoseidon, within three months. Along with its twin, theAntirrio Castle, they were intended to protect the entrance to theCorinthian Gulf, and were nicknamed the "LittleDardanelles". The castle is located on the sea shore, with its northern side protected by the sea and the southern by a broad moat, filled with sea water, and two outer bastions (ravelins), linked to the main fort by stone bridges. It has two gates, the central one, facing landwards, and the sea gate.
In 1533, it was briefly captured by theGenoese underAndrea Doria, but the Ottomans recaptured it later in the year. In 1687, during theMorean War, it was taken by theVenetians underFrancesco Morosini. The Venetians rebuilt the castle, restoring and strengthening it by the addition of towers, giving it its final shape. The Venetians also added the small chapel of the Life-giving Spring (Zoodochos Pege). The Ottomansretook it in 1715, and remained until they surrendered it to French GeneralNicolas Joseph Maison. Between 1831 and 1912, the castle was used as a military and then civilian prison, whose inmates were often used by the municipality ofPatras for cleaning the streets of Rio.
