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Modern Description: The castle of Patra, a large Byzantine fortification of the late 6th cent. A.D. occupies a low hill, directly above the city centre, ca. 500m. from the sea. The acropolis of ancient Patra was here, now covered under 10 m. of deposits, created by the building activities of following periods.
Occupation of the site probably began in Mycenaean times, though this is at the moment a mere assumption. The lack of excavation data means that our main source of information regarding the ancient acropolis comes from various surface finds, as well as the architectural members (usually column drums) used as building material in the northern flank of the Byzantine wall. Pausanias informs us that in Roman times the acropolis was the centre of religious life, with temples dedicated to Artemis Lafria and Panachais Athena.
The castle's plan underwent a series of modifications and additions during its use -between the 6th and 18th cent A.D. - by its Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish rulers, until it became disused as a defensive installation.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patras_Castle
Wikidata ID: Q4026035
Trismegistos Geo: 1631

Info: Patras University

(Monuments of Aitoloakarnania and Achaia, 2003, University of Patras)

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