Greece · Partial ruin
Larissa Fortress
Larisa (Castle Larisa) is the ancient and medieval acropolis of Argos, occupying a high rocky hill within the town. The summit is dominated by the remains of a Byzantine-Venetian castle; the slopes below contain historic monasteries and the site was fortified and used through many periods from antiquity into the medieval era.
Its prime
1394
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1394
The shape it held in its prime.
Perched on a steep, rocky hill within the town, the castle forms a layered citadel of ash-grey limestone curtain walls and battlements stepping down the slope. The circuit includes irregular lengths of wall pierced by semicircular and rectangular towers, with a higher enclosed summit stronghold. Stone is weathered local limestone; roofs of internal buildings are absent in the photograph but at prime the battlements and towers were intact and internal ranges roofed and occupied.
Its story
The story of Larissa Fortress.
The high rock of Larisa, named according to Strabo for a group of Pelasgians, was fortified and in continuous use for nineteen centuries as the acropolis of Argos. In Mycenaean times the principal settlement and temple sat on the neighbouring Aspis hill, with the main cemetery on the col of Deiras between them; Dorian settlers on Larisa's eastern slope formed the nucleus of Classical Argos.
Long walls linking Argos to Nauplion were begun around 421 BC by Athenian masons, but stood only half complete — despite unskilled men, women and slaves being pressed into the work — when King Agis II of Sparta attacked and his men pulled them all down. Argive history is somewhat sketchy for part of the century that followed.
In the medieval period the fortress was surrendered to Otto de la Roche, Duke of Athens, in exchange for military assistance, becoming one of the chief fortresses of the Lordship of Argos and Nauplia. The summit now carries the ruins of the Byzantine-Venetian castle, with the monasteries of Panagia Katakekrymeni-Portokalousa and Agia Marina on the slopes below.
Step inside
8 places to explore in 1394.
The record describes 8 distinct spots at Larissa Fortress — including 3 interiors: central courtyard of the summit citadel, panagia katakekrymeni-portokalousa monastery (mid-slope), monastery of agia marina opposite the castle entrance. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Larissa Fortress with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1394 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Larissa Fortress.
The families that held Larissa Fortress for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
de la Roche
Surrendered to Otto de la Roche, Duke of Athens, in exchange for military assistance; one of the chief fortresses of the Lordship of Argos and Nauplia.
