# Ioannina Castle

- **Country:** Greece
- **Coordinates:** 39.671700, 20.860600
- **Century Built:** Byzantine/Ottoman period
- **Location Text:** Ioannina

Ioannina Castle is a historic citadel located in the city of Ioannina within the Epirus region of northwestern Greece. While traditional accounts and some archaeological evidence suggest fortifications existed on the site as early as the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I or even during the Hellenistic period, the structure was first definitely recorded in a Byzantine decree from 1020. The castle's architecture primarily features hewn ashlar stone, blending ancient foundations with significant Byzantine elements from the 10th and 11th centuries. Notably, later expansions are often attributed to Norman occupations in the late 11th century, though the visible fortifications largely date to extensive reconstructions undertaken during the late Ottoman period.

The fortress holds immense historical significance due to its strategic role through centuries of turbulent regional history. Following the Fourth Crusade in 1204, it served as a key stronghold for the Despotate of Epirus before changing hands between the restored Byzantine Empire, the Serbian Empire, and finally the Ottoman Empire in 1430. Its most famous era occurred under Ali Pasha of Ioannina, whose late Ottoman renovations defined much of the castle's current appearance. The site witnessed numerous shifts in power until Greek liberation in 1913, serving as a military and administrative center for diverse rulers including Byzantines, Serbs, and Ottomans over nearly a millennium.

Today, the Ioannina Castle remains mostly intact and is owned by the Government of Greece. It functions as the fortified old town of Ioannina, incorporating the distinct inner citadel known as Its Kale. The site is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its well-preserved walls, gates, and the iconic clock tower. As a living monument, it stands as a testament to the layered cultural heritage of the region, successfully preserving architectural details from its Byzantine origins through its Ottoman transformation into a modern historical landmark.

![Photo of Ioannina Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/20140415_ioannina188.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioannina_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)