Kassiopi Castle is a castle on the northeastern coast of Corfu overseeing the fishing village of Kassiopi. It was one of three Byzantine-period castles that defended the island before the Venetian era (1386–1797). The castles formed a defensive triangle, with Gardiki guarding the island's south, Kassiopi the northeast and Angelokastro the northwest.
The exact origins of the castle are not clear, with various. The castle was probably built in the 6th century during the Byzantine era, then conquered in 1084 when it fell from the Normans after three naval battles in the Corfu Channel. In 1267 an early example of a composite monarchy established by Henry II of England known as the Angevins held the castle till it fell to the Venetians, who ordered its destruction but were met with strong resistance until 1366.
After the Venetian surrender of Crete in 1669 to the Ottomans, Corfu become the Venetian's last possession, consequently, they strengthened the defences of the island and in 1716, the Venetians finally decided to rebuild the castle, following the second great siege of Corfu.
The perimeter of the castle has a length of 1.073 km and is of a quadrilateral shape with 19 strong towers of alternating circular and rectangular cross-sections guarding the walls and running in a southwest-to-northeast direction.
The exact origins of the castle are not clear, with various. The castle was probably built in the 6th century during the Byzantine era, then conquered in 1084 when it fell from the Normans after three naval battles in the Corfu Channel. In 1267 an early example of a composite monarchy established by Henry II of England known as the Angevins held the castle till it fell to the Venetians, who ordered its destruction but were met with strong resistance until 1366.
After the Venetian surrender of Crete in 1669 to the Ottomans, Corfu become the Venetian's last possession, consequently, they strengthened the defences of the island and in 1716, the Venetians finally decided to rebuild the castle, following the second great siege of Corfu.
The perimeter of the castle has a length of 1.073 km and is of a quadrilateral shape with 19 strong towers of alternating circular and rectangular cross-sections guarding the walls and running in a southwest-to-northeast direction.