By Nicolas Bard

The iconic and photogenic Castle of Platamona, It is a fortress of the Frankish rule, built in the fortified city of the Middle Byzantine period, and is located southeast of its Olympusa short distance from the current town of Platamonas. The position chosen for its erection is strategy, as it “controls” the transition from Macedonia to Thessaly and therefore in southern Greece. It is one of the best preserved castles in northern Greece, with its imposing central tower standing out from the highway.

To Castle of Platamona, Built between the years 1204 and 1222, we find the three main features of the medieval fortresses: the first enclosure, the second enclosure, which is the Acropolis, and the Central Pyrgos. The spacious outer wall of the castle is polygonal in shape and is reinforced with towers, mounted at irregular intervals, while being kept in very good condition. Its entrance is on the southeast side, while on the same side there is a ruined betrayal or perhaps propylon.

The height of the impressive walls reaches 9.5 meters to the right and to the left of 7.5 meters, while their thickness is between 1.2 and 2 meters. There was an additional tower between the two gates of the central entrance, which is now damaged. The second enclosure is 6 – 7 meters high and in its northeast corner there is an unusual tower, with a square outer perimeter and circular inner. This tower has a Byzantine -type tiled dome.

On the northeast side of the fortress is the majestic central tower of the defensive complex, which has an octagonal shape, a height of 16 meters and a thickness of 2 meters. Its entry, for security reasons, was about 3.5 meters from the ground and accessed via a wooden staircase. It has semicircular windows, in one of which we find two openings with a central column and a cross decoration, which may indicate its dating to the period where the castle was repaired by the Byzantine Despotate of Epirus. In the area of ​​the castle is the church of Agia Paraskevi, the only one rescued by the five in total there, which during the Turkish occupation had become a mosque.

The location where the castle is built offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the vast beach of Platamonas, with fine pebbles and turquoise waters. Looking at the fortress underneath, it looks like a crown on the top of the hill, which really adorns the setting with its presence, giving a medieval charm to the lush coast of Pieria. If you are in the area, it is worth a visit to this great fortress, and keep in mind that there are various cultural events during the summer. In addition to the historic fortress, the Platamonas Museum Railway, the picturesque port and the authentic Mediterranean landscape create a remarkable tourist destination, which may be your starting point for excursions to Pieria.