History
The place, which today is occupied by the castle, was used by the city of Herakleion (Ἡράκλειον) in pre-Christian times. Not_only_on_the_top_of_the_castle_hill,_but_also_at_the_foot_of_the_hill,_were_settlements_that_were_assigned_to_this_ancient_city._Around_360_BC_Scylax_of_Caryanda">Skylax_of_Karyandar_described_the_place_as_"the_first_Macedonian_city_behind_the_river_ Not_only_on_the_top_of_the_castle_hill,_but_also_at_the_foot_of_the_hill,_were_settlements_that_were_assigned_to_this_ancient_city._Around_360_BC_Scylax_of_Caryanda">Skylax_of_Karyandar_described_the_place_as_"the_first_Macedonian_city_behind_the_river_Peneus_River_(Thessaly)">Peneios"._The_Roman_historian_ Not_only_on_the_top_of_the_castle_hill,_but_also_at_the_foot_of_the_hill,_were_settlements_that_were_assigned_to_this_ancient_city._Around_360_BC_Scylax_of_Caryanda">Skylax_of_Karyandar_described_the_place_as_"the_first_Macedonian_city_behind_the_river_Peneus_River_(Thessaly)">Peneios"._The_Roman_historian_Livy">Titius_Livius_has_a_more_accurate_position_determination._"Between_Dion,_Pieria.html" ;"title="Livy.html" ;"title="Peneus_River_(Thessaly).html" ;"title="Scylax_of_Caryanda.html" ;"title="ame=Loverdou-Tsigarida > Not only on the top of the castle hill, but also at the foot of the hill, were settlements that were assigned to this ancient city. Around 360 BC Scylax of Caryanda">Skylax of Karyandar described the place as "the first Macedonian city behind the river Peneus River (Thessaly)">Peneios". The Roman historian Livy">Titius Livius has a more accurate position determination. "Between Dion, Pieria">Dion and Tembi lying on a rock," he described the place, which is identical with the position of the castle. But even earlier, since the Bronze Age, a settlement of the castle hill has been proved. In the year 430 BC, The Athenians conquered the place to control from here the Thermaean Gulf to their possessions on the Chalkidiki. At the same time, the country's most popular north-south route runs along the hill. At the beginning of the 3rd century BC, the city and the now established port were destroyed. By what, or by whom, is not exactly known. A short time later the region was conquered by the Romans. In the year 169 BC, from Thessaly coming, they held their camp in the plain between Herakleion andThe Castle
A footpath leads from the parking lot to the gate of the castle. It is open every day between 08:30 and 15:00. What we call Platamon today included the city of Platamon and the actual castle. The extensive area is designed as a polygon and had irregular towers at irregular intervals. At the foot of the hill, to the left and right of the land, which extends into the sea, are two smaller towers. Only the main tower, the donjon, which is surrounded by its own wall, is located in the western part of the complex. Unfortunately, it is not open to visitors. Here, in fighting, was the last retreat for the inhabitants. For strategic reasons, there is only a relatively narrow gate that can be defended well. Many of the basics of churches, houses, a smithy, pottery and other buildings testify to the life of the past. Partially well-preserved cannons served in the later Middle Ages, the defense of pirates and the general defense of the fortress. To ensure the water supply during a longer lasting siege, there are several cisterns on the site. The walls have a height of 7.50 to 9.50 m and have a thickness between 1.20 and 2 meters. In the course of the centuries, they have been continually increased, and the individual sections of the building can still be seen today. Except for the destroyed upper part of the defense route in the east, they are well preserved. The wall is accessible in several places for visitors and invites you to enjoy the fantastic view of the surroundings. Originally the castle complex was surrounded by another, lower wall. It formed the first line of defense in an emergency. The only intact building is the small church Agia Paraskevi. It is richly decorated and offers space for around 30 believers. Paradoxically, the construction of a railway tunnel through the hill a few years ago has, from the point of view of archaeologists, used the facility more than harmed. During the construction, further ground plans of buildings were discovered which are assigned to the historic city of Herakleion.Present use
Today, the acropolis serves as one of the Olympus Festival venues. In the open air, with good acoustics, theatrical performances and concerts take place here.References
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