Castle of Sigri

The Castle of Sigri stands on the cape of the island’s western side. It was built in 1757 by the grand admiral of the Ottoman fleet, Suleiman Pasha, in order to protect the area from pirate raids and ensure the smooth circulation of goods. It consists of an enceinte reinforced by square defensive towers, gun platforms and bastions. Inside are the cells of the Ottoman garrison, which resided permanently in the fort to defend it. In 1777 a company of musketeers and artillerymen under a castellan was stationed there, while in 1789 the castle had a garrison of 100 men and 200 cannons. Throughout the 19th c. military units resided there until 1912, when its military use ceased.