Construction and development of the castle of Molyvos, Lesbos

• Κlimis Aslanidis ^[1]
  1. [1] Technical University of Crete

     Technical University of Crete

     Chania, Grecia

     
• Localización: FORTMED2023. Defensive architecture of the mediterranean : vol. XIII, XIV, XV / Marco Giorgio Bevilacqua (dir. congr.), Denise Ulivieri (aut.), 2023, ISBN 978-84-1396-129-3, págs. 359-366
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • The castle of Molyvos on the island of Lesbos most probably occupies the site of the acropolis of the ancient city of Methymna. Its strategic location offers control of the north entrance to the gulf of Adramyttium and the route to the Dardanelles. Very little of the ancient construction is still standing. However, the castle that was built in the Middle Ages made exclusive use of ancient stone blocks. It must be dated to the Byzantine period, but it is not possible to define the exact date. Its west part belongs mainly to this first construction phase. It has a polygonal layout with relatively small protruding rectangular towers. Two of the towers are closer to each other and protect the entrance gate. In a second phase, the castle extended eastwards, with more towers, one considerably larger. These interventions may be attributed to the Genovese Gattilusi family, who acquired control of the island in 1355, after the marriage of Francesco Gattilusio with the Byzantine princess Maria Paleologina. Recycled ancient material was used again extensively, but in a less elaborate manner. A first campaign may be dated to the 14th century, whereas a second one may be to the following century and be related to the defense of the Gattilusi against the Ottomans, who conquered the island in 1462. The castle developed during the Ottoman period in several construction phases with barbicans, bastions, and a tall rectangular tower, in an effort to adapt to the use of artillery. It is probable that the last works in the castle date to the mid-17th century and are related to the fifth Ottoman-Venetian war. This research is based on the new architectural drawings of the castle, which were produced by the Laboratory for the Documentation and Conservation of Historic Buildings and Sites of the Technical University of Crete for the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos of the Greek Ministry of Culture.