# Old Navarino castle

- **Country:** Greece
- **Coordinates:** 36.958276, 21.657073
- **Century Built:** Frankish period
- **Location Text:** Near Pylos

Old Navarino Castle, frequently known as Palaiokastro, is a thirteenth-century Frankish fortress situated near Pylos in Messenia, Greece. Perched atop a commanding two-hundred-meter rock formation on the northern edge of the bay, the site occupies the strategic location of an ancient Athenian fort used during the Battle of Pylos in 425 BC. Constructed around 1281 by Nicholas II of Saint-Omer, Lord of Thebes, the castle served as a key defensive structure alongside the later Ottoman-built New Navarino fortress. Throughout the medieval period, it was known by various names including Port-de-Jonc and Château Navarres, reflecting its tenure under the Principality of Achaea and the Navarrese Company.

The fortress holds significant historical value due to its involvement in regional conflicts and shifting powers. In the 1350s, Genoese forces seized the castle to launch raids against Venetian possessions, leading to a notable naval battle in 1354. It also played a role in dynastic struggles when Mary of Bourbon held the site during her conflict with Philip of Taranto over the Principality of Achaea. Despite these moments of prominence, the castle eventually declined in military importance following the medieval era.

Today, Old Navarino Castle exists as a ruin characterized by its naturally defensible position flanked by sheer cliffs. While the site offers impressive views and retains remnants of its Frankish architecture, the structure is currently considered dangerous and has been officially declared closed to public access. Visitors can observe the ruins from a distance, but physical entry is prohibited to ensure safety amidst the deteriorating stonework of this historic landmark.

![Photo of Old Navarino castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Palaiokastro_and_Nestors_Cave.jpg)

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