Located on the hilltop, strategically placed, due in-part to its strategic location overlooking both the town of Didymoteicho, the Erythropotamos River and the road to Constantinople, it is one of the most important Byzantine-era castles in Thrace and the Balkans.
History
According to the 6th-century historian Procopius, the reconstruction of the walls of Didymoteicho took place during the reign of Justinian. The castle experienced several long sieges, and as a result The walls were subsequently strengthened during the reign of Constantine V in 751. In 1206, the fortress was besieged by Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan, who took advantage of the disintegration of the Byzantine Empire.. The fortress was later occurred by the Crusaders, and the Latin Empire. In 1303, with the reestablishment of Imperial rule Master builderConstantine Tarchaneiotes re-strengthened the fortifications. This is supported by Topography of building materials and methods that suggest the occupation by Byzantine forces continued into the later period of the empire. It was in a cave next to 19th century built Cathedral of Aghios Athanasios where Charles XII, King of Sweden, is said to have been imprisoned by the Ottoman Turks. During the Ottoman rule, the castle was not adequately preserved, sustaining severe damage from various incursions as well as those provoked by the Russians who occupied the city in the course of the two Russo-Turkish wars in 1829 and 1878.
Description
The castle is preserved at its longest length, its Byzantine walls are long and reach a height of 12 meters, with 24 towers in total, some of which bear monograms of Byzantine personalities or decorative and symbolic patterns. The two central gates of the fortress, known as the Kale Gates, are flanked by five-sided towers dating to the Justinian refurbishment. The West gate facing Erythropotamos river remains intact and contains a smaller gate next to a tower with pointed arches and a court added in the early Ottoman times. Inside the castle there are scattered carved caves which were used as parts of houses. There are a number of Post-Byzantine building within the walls, notably the church of Aghia Aikaterini comprising tombs, the cathedral of Aghios Athanasios, and the church of the Christ
Current state
Today, 24 towers and post-Byzantine buildings are preserved within the Castle.
