Fanari Castle

Fanari is one of the most beautiful, semi-mountainous villages in Karditsa, and it has for its “crown” a small but impressive medieval castle, which is the most characteristic landmark of the Municipality of Mouzaki.

The well-preserved Byzantine Castle of Fanari stands proudly on a hill, visible from afar, roughly on the site of ancient Ithome, 14 km from Karditsa and 16 km from Mouzaki. It occupies a naturally fortified position of great strategic importance, as it controlled the passes of Epirus and especially the Trikala – Arta passage.

Spanning 2.6 acres, it may have been small, but it boasted two entrances, six towers, a perimeter of 250 meters, and walls reaching 10 meters high. This beautiful monument of Fanari (which is first mentioned in an imperial chrysobull of 1289) dominates the flat landscape, and within its walls, it reveals the ruins of cisterns, a gunpowder magazine, and a mosque. During the Ottoman period, it served as a barracks, and after liberation, it met the same fate under the Greek army.

It stands as one of the most important monuments of Western Thessaly, and at night, it shines brightly, a pleasant "discord" in the wide Thessalian plain.

Opening Hours: Daily (except Tuesday) 08:30 - 15:00