In a prominent position between the settlements of Kampos and Stavropigio in Messinian Mani, is the castle of Zarnata. The location was strategically relevant, as it allowed surveillance of the coastline and control of passages to the hinterland of Mani. The fortification preserves ruins from the Hellenistic era, which are identified with the citadel of ancient Gerenia. The second phase of its reconstruction has been the subject of conflicting views. Researchers date the castle from the 15th to the end of the 17th century. The wall is not preserved at a great height, it follows the morphology of the ground and is reinforced at intervals by circular and quadrilateral towers. At the top of the hill there is a fortified residential complex which dates back to the end of the 18th century and was the administrative seat of the captaincy of Zarnata. It includes, as usual in the local architectural tradition, the main war tower which is reinforced with defensive structures (sprinklers, cages), as well as auxiliary buildings, a residential complex and two churches: the inscribed cross-roofed church of Zoodochos Pigi decorated with and the ruined single-aisled vaulted church of Agios Nikolaos. On the whole, the monument, although not maintained in good condition, is imposed on the visitor and transports him to another era. odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=19754

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Elevation 400 m

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Location: Messenia, Greece

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