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The gateway to the enceinte, showing typical Catalan ashlar construction.
History/Description: Livadia was granted as a fief to Othon de la Roche in 1214 by the Pope. The castle dates from the 13th century, but it was held by the Catalan Company from 1309 and most of the existing walls (including some nice ashlar gateways which Hetherington regards as typical of the Catalans), dates from this period. In 1379/80 it was taken by the Navarrese Company. The Ottomans gained it in 1458. It saw action during the war of independence, when Odysseus Andhroutsos held it briefly. Hetherington (p.129) suggests that with the development of gunpowder, the castle would have become subject to bombardment from the opposite side of the deep ravine upon which it stands, rendering it harmless as a castle, and that this accounts for its relatively well preserved walls. For a good overall view of the site, see [10, 'Levadeia, castle'].
Directions:
Walking uphill from the town centre, towards the castle, you will come to the entrance to the ravine upon which it stands. A steep road up through a residential area is on your right, and if you follow this for ten minutes or so, a track on the left leads into the castle.
Sources:
Gateway to the inner enclosure.
View from inside, showing the somewhat crude hinge arrangement for the gate, and a hole for the bar.
One of the inner towers.
The remaining part of the keep, and a (fairly recent) church.
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Unless otherwise stated, the text, images and design of this site are (c) the author. This page last updated 7 Jan 2007