Exploring Attica we find that it has more hidden treasures than we think. Either closer or further away from Athens. They also own a castle, for many totally unknown, which is only an hour from the center of the capital. The reason for the castle of the Free <eleftheron>.
The history of the Castle in Attica
You might hear it called Gyftokastro. It is located between The erithres and Vilia, on the slopes of Kitherona. It is an ancient castle which is impressively well preserved for its age. This, in fact, dates back to somewhere in the 4th century B.C. In a sense, it is the opposite of the Castle of the Aegosthenes: this is what the Thebes built to protect themselves from the Athenians and their allies, because as the well-known , we are all bad at someone’s history.
The castle of The eleftheron was gigantic and expensive for its time. it was 12 times the size of the castle that the Athenians had in the fili. Such was its extent that the Byzantines, after repairing it, also established a small settlement within its walls.
This unusual size reinforces the version that it belonged to the Thebes who wanted to demonstrate their newly acquired hegemonic position in ancient Greece. Moreover, they wanted to consolidate their presence in a overtime-disputed area. The Athenians had no reason to build a fortress there, since their fort city of Oinoi was nearby. Moreover at that time they were too weakened to be in the mood for new luxury fortifications in the low priority west Attica.
During the last decades of the 4th century, the fortress was repaired and strengthened. This was probably done in the context of the conflict between Alexander the Descendants and, in this case, between Kassandros and Demetriou. During the years of this conflict, the area suffered and was deserted.
What else are you going to see nearby?
A short distance from the fortress is preserved the foundation of a temple measuring 16,55✖8,76 m of the 4th century BC attributed to Dionysus Elefthereas. In the lowland area around the temple there are signs of habitation from the archaic to the early Christian years. In the eastern slopes of the hill are preserved the foundations of two early Christian basilicas.
A castle that most people, even if they live in Athens, do not know its existence. A good opportunity to know some of the many historical and archaeological treasures that Attica has.
The cave in Attica which according to legend was a passage to Hades
Frequently Asked Questions
The Castle of Eleftheron is located in Attica, between Erithres and Vilia, on the slopes of Kitherona, approximately one hour away from the center of Athens. It is one of the hidden treasures of Attica that remains largely unknown to many visitors and even residents of Athens.
The Castle of Eleftheron dates back to the 4th century B.C. and was built by the Thebes to protect themselves from the Athenians and their allies. It was designed to demonstrate Thebes' newly acquired hegemonic position in ancient Greece and consolidate their presence in the disputed area of western Attica.
The Castle of Eleftheron was gigantic and extremely expensive for its time. It was 12 times the size of the castle the Athenians had in Fili. Its massive extent was so significant that the Byzantines, after repairing it, established a small settlement within its walls.
Near the castle, you can find the preserved foundation of a 4th century B.C. temple measuring 16.55×8.76 meters, attributed to Dionysus Elefthereas. The surrounding lowland areas show signs of habitation from the archaic to early Christian periods, and the eastern slopes contain foundations of two early Christian basilicas.
The Castle of Eleftheron remains impressively well-preserved for its age due to repairs made during the late 4th century B.C., likely during conflicts between Alexander's descendants, particularly between Kassandros and Demetriou. The Byzantines also repaired and reinforced the fortress, contributing to its structural integrity over the centuries.
