about castles
The naturally fortified position of the hill of Gynaikokastro was the main reason for the establishment of this homonymous Byzantine fortress. Its location was of strategic importance, as it controlled the passages to the northern Balkan region, but also to the west and east, protecting the main city, Thessaloniki.
Andronikos III (1328-1341), appreciating its essential role in the defense organization of Macedonia, re-established the fortress of Gynaikokastro, along with the equally important fortresses and castles of Sidirokastro, Chrysoupoli, Christoupolis and Peritheorion.
The castles of Serres, Zichna, Rentina, Kassandreia, Platamonas, Kitros, Tempi, Veria, Edessa and Moglena also functioned as outposts for the defense of Thessaloniki.
Τhe fortress of Gynaikokastro was supported by a network of neighboring fortifications, many of which can be dated to antiquity. These fortifications had direct or indirect visual contact with the fortress, and strengthened its position by supplying information, by warning about enemy movements, and generally contributed to the supervision and control of the wider plain of Thessaloniki in every way. These include the fortifications of Chorygi, Kotili and Metalliko, but also the hills of Kilkis, Pedino, Kolchida, Eptalofos and Melanthi to the east. To the west, lied Batsovo, Drevenos and Kale in the area of Pefkodasos and Plagia, to the north, Prophet Elias Plagias, and to the southeast, the castles of Mandres and Santa.
