Archaeological Site Of Pythagoreion Castle

The Archaeological Site of Pythagoreio Castle lies on a low hill on the harbor’s southwest side and is a place of continuous habitation and use from the Neolithic to modern times. In the Archaic period the hill stood within the powerful fortifications of ancient Samos and likely housed the palace of the tyrant Polycrates, while structural remains confirm its use during Hellenistic and Roman times. On the east side, three 5th‑century AD Early Christian basilicas have been uncovered, one of which is thought to have been the island’s episcopal see. The Byzantine Castle was built in the late 7th century to protect the inhabitants and remained in use, with continual repairs, until the 14th century. In modern times Lykourgos Logothetis strengthened the castle again; his tower survives today as a visitable monument and archaeological museum. The site uniquely captures Pythagoreio’s multilayered history from antiquity to the modern era.