Kalymnos Chryssocheria Castle

Location: Pothia Town

The Castle of Chrysocheria stands on top of a low spur with commanding views of Chorio, the former capital of Kalymnos, and the port of Pothia. It was built by the Knights of Saint John, who ruled the island from the 14th to the 16th century and is also known as Pera Kastro, which means “the castle on the opposite side,” as seen from the Castle of Chora. 

The main objective behind its construction was to fortify the island and protect it from the increasingly frequent Turkish invasions. At the same time, though, it served as residence of the island’s commander. It was probably constructed by the governor Fantino Querini, whose coat of arms still remains engraved on the southern side of the walls. Being small in size, it soon proved inadequate for the island’s effective defence, and was eventually abandoned around the end of the 15th century.

Flanked by tower-like structures, the enceinte is irregular in shape, following the layout of the low spur which provided it with natural fortification on three out of four sides. Embedded in the walls, one can see the remnants of an ancient temple which used to stand there in ancient times.

Today, its interior houses the ruins of a stone-built storehouse and two Byzantine chapels, one of which is the well-preserved church of Panagia Chryssochera. Meaning our Lady with the golden hands, this chapel probably predates the erection of the castle and used to house an icon of the Virgin Mary that stood out for the golden foil covering the hands. According to the legend, a treasure of gold coins was once found underneath its floor. Some worn-out Byzantine frescoes can still be discerned inside the chapel.

Visitors should not miss the three 16th-century windmills which can still be found under the hill, surrounded by walls with crenelations.