The Castle of Mitilini
One of the biggest castles in the Mediterranean is the Castle of Mitilini which is built at the highest location of the peninsula, formed between the two city ports. The place was already inhabited from the ancient years, fact that is indicated from the sanctuary of Dimitra, situated at the central fortification enclosure. The first Byzantine phase of the castle is dated back to the time of the Emperor Justinian (6th century), within the framework of the fortification works carried out to all the Byzantine Empire. In the 14th century, during the dynasty of Gatelouzzi, renovation works of the castle as well as large scale repairs were carried out. Then the castle almost acquired the form that it has today. Many ancient materials were used in the building, such as from the ancient theatre of Mitilini. In 1460, waiting for the Ottoman attack, the castle was reinforced and adjusted to the new circumstances of the besieging techniques with the construction of round towers.? During the Ottoman period, the castle was reinforced with a second external wall ending to the north port. The most interesting monuments of the castle are: the central west tower, known as the ???Queen???s Tower?? with the dedication plate with the blazon of Gateluzzi, the eagle with the four Vs of the Paleologoi of Byzantine, the mosque Koule, the Ottoman gate Orta Kapou, the Powder Magazine, the Opium-den, the Ottoman Seminary, the baths, the fountain and the cistern. In the last years, a space for summer cultural events has been formed in the premises of the castle
