Agia Mavra Castle (Κάστρο Αγίας Μαύρας, Santa Maura) is the largest Venetian fort in Lefkada Island, Greece, which was built at the entrance of the island. The thick walls the castle remained in fairly good condition, one of its bastions was converted into a lighthouse.
The castle of Agia Mavra is one of the best local sights: it has an interesting history under the rules of Turks and Venetians, can be reached easy and there are no other significant fortresses in the region, which has such significant size.
Where to find the Castle of Agia Mavra in Lefkada Island and how to get there
Agia Mavra Castle is located in the north side of Lefkada Island, approx. 1 kilometers away from the capital, and approx 18 kilometers away from Nidri. The fort is was built exactly on the place where the floating bridge of Lefkada can be find – the pontoon bridge got its name from this medieval castle.
When you drive to Lefkada Island from the direction of Greek mainland, you will meet with the thick walls of the fortress, just before you reach the pontoon bridge. If you would like to visit the fortress from the direction of the island, you have to drive or walk through to pontoon bridge.
The main entrance of Agia Mavra Castle opens just 50 meters away from the bridge, where a few free parking lots can be find next to the street. To enter the building complex you have to go through on a small canal, and after a few meteres you will see the kiosk, where the actual prices and opening times are displayed, and you have to pay for entrance.
History of Agia Mavra Castle in Lefkada Island
The first walls of Agia Mavra Castle were built by the Sicilian governor Giovanni Orsini, to protect the island and its surrounding area from the pirates. After a few years, in 1294 the island became a property of Franks. Around the year of 1300 this area became more important and it was dedicated as the economical center of Lefkada Island, so a stronger fort was a neccessary solution against pirates and invaders.
The first buildings of Agia Mavra were much smaller than today, but it has been rebuilt and expanded several times with barracks, administrative buildings, cisterns and storage rooms.
At the beginning of 15th century Ottomans occupied the area: they were built a mosque and a small bridge inside the walls of the castle. Turks ruled over Agia Mavra until 17th century, when Venetians took control over the island under the command of Francesco Morosini, and Lefkada became a Venetian province.
Venetians increased the entire area of the fortress and strengthened its walls, to provide safer conditions for soldiers. You may still see the main symbol of Venice, the Lion of Saint Mark oin the walls at many places. In the year of 1888 a large fire destroyed several buildings inside, and just a few of these were rebuilt after the disaster.
Sight and attractions in Agia Mavra fortress, which are worth to see
As the best preserved fort in Lefkada Island, inside the walls there are several sights, which can be interesting for visitors of Agia Mavra Castle. The buildig complex is protected by a moat, which is connected to the sea. The lighthouse of the west bastion is the newest part of the Castle, it is yet working today.
Lefkada Island has two important lighthouses: the other building can be seen in the southern region, known as the lighthouse of Cape Doukato.
The main walls of Agia Mavra castle remained in quite good condition: visitors can go upstairs and can walk around on top of the walls, where narrow trails are formed. Inside the courtyard unfortunately most of the old buildings from the Venetian and Turkish eras are ruined, and only their foundations can be seen.
On the southeast corner of the fort there was built a tiny church of Agia Mavra, dedicated to Holy Mary, built in the 15th century. The famous bell tower of the castle is also situated here, which is typical on the photos of this attraction. Inside the Church of Holy Mary you can see small church icons of Saints, and gold plated objects serve the religious occasions.
Archeologists still work on their excavations inside the walls of Agia Mavra, because many of restoration works and excavations are in progress. You have to know before a visit that the castle is closed for a day in a week, which is usually Tuesday, just as a lot of other forts and museums in Greece.
The nearest beaches from Agia Mavra fort are Ammoglossa beach, which lies literally in front of the castle, on its north side. Other important beaches of the region are Kastro beach, Gyra beach and Agios Ioannis beach. The parts of Agios Ioannis beach at the old windmills are the best kitesurf spots in Lefkada Island, where the surfers sail in the afternoons from June to September.
Agia Mavra fort photos and infos
- Known as: Agia Mavras Fort, Κάστρο Αγίας Μαύρας, Santa Maura fort
- Coordinates: 38.844202, 20.719224
- Location: Lefkada 311 00, Greece
- Opening hours: 8:30 – 15:30, closed on Tuesdays
- 1 km east from Lefkada town, next to the floating bridge
- Facilities: ticket kiosk
- Accessibility: by car or by walking from Lefkada town
- Entry fee / ticket price: 3 Euro / person
- Opening times: 8:30 – 15:30, closed on Tuesdays and on national public holidays
