Castle of Agios Georgios
Castle of Agios Georgios features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Kefalonia. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type castle
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Kefalonia Kefalonia guide
About Castle of Agios Georgios
The hilltop fortress that was the capital of Kefalonia for centuries, Byzantine in origin and rebuilt by the Venetians after a famous siege in 1500, with wide views over the south of the island.
The Castle of Agios Georgios, Saint George, stands on a hill about 320 metres high near Peratata, some seven kilometres south-east of Argostoli. A Byzantine fortress stood here from the 8th century, and the castle was the island's capital and the seat of its rulers until 1757. In late 1500 a Spanish and Venetian force under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba and Benedetto Pesaro took it from the Ottomans after a siege of several weeks.
The Venetians then rebuilt it on a larger scale, with a main wall about 600 metres long and three bastions. Inside are the ruins of churches, the governor's house, barracks, cisterns and powder stores, and the village of Kastro grew from the suburb outside the walls. The castle was damaged in the Second World War and in 1953.
Did you know? In 1085 Norman forces under Roger Borsa besieged the castle without success. In the same year his father, Robert Guiscard, died on Kefalonia.
How long is a visit to Castle of Agios Georgios?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Castle of Agios Georgios. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Castle of Agios Georgios worth your time?
Castle of Agios Georgios is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Kefalonia, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Kefalonia
Day 2 of the Kefalonia in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Castle of Agios Georgios
Preview the Kefalonia tour free in the Gingerguide app.