Castle was the medieval capital of the island. It was built in the middle of the 14^th century when residents, due to pirate invasions, had to leave the old town.
They built Castropolitia in the highest part of the island, on a gigantic rock with extraordinary view and natural fortification. It was a safe refugee for people and saved them many times.
The Castle is hanging right above the sea. A wooden moving bridge united it with the land. Today they have built cement stairs leading to the castle’s entrance. Inside the castle were 300 houses and 30 churches. Now only three churches are saved. The church of Christ with a wooden chancel screen dated from 1695, the church of Saint Nicholas and Saint Marina.
Here in the Castle Greeks gave many battles against Turkish, as Papadiamantis says in many of his books. Racy accounts of life in the castle are found in many of his stories.
Castle was abandoned in 1830, when residents – after liberation- decided to return to the port and rebuilt the old town.