Methone: Ancient-Medieval-Modern

During the Middle Ages, the fortress town of Methone in the Peloponnese flourished, serving as a Venetian outpost and a key station on the route to the East. After its capture by the Ottomans, the French built a new town outside the walls, and today, ruins of Ottoman baths, a minaret, underground cisterns, a gunpowder magazine, and the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour survive within the fortress.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Kapon Editions

The Middle Ages, a period of immense significance, witnessed the flourishing of the renowned fortress town of Methone, an ancient settlement situated on the western coast of the Messenian peninsula of the Peloponnese. The town's medieval splendor is evident in the robust fortification walls, constructed by the Venetians in 1206, following their expulsion of the Frankish garrison of Geoffrey of Villehardouin. Three years later, in 1209, the town was taken over by the Venetians after the signing of the Treaty of Sapientza. As the Venetians conquered Crete, Methone became a vital stronghold in their rivalry with the Genoese. The fortress evolved into a strategic station on the route to the coasts of Asia and the Holy Land. Western chroniclers referred to the Peloponnese as "LÎle de Modon" (Island of Methone), highlighting the fortress's immense importance. The significance of the fortress became particularly apparent in a note verbale from Doge A. Barbarigo in 1500, following its capture by the Ottomans. In this note, Barbarigo conveyed the loss of a magnificent base for ships sailing towards the East, emphasizing the fortress's pivotal role in maritime trade. Following the Naval Battle of Navarino, the liberating French troops of Commander-in-chief Maison constructed a new town outside the fortress walls. Today, remnants of the fortress survive, including the ruins of Ottoman baths (hammam), a minaret, underground cisterns, a gunpowder magazine, and the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour. These remnants serve as a testament to the town's rich history and its significance in the broader context of the Peloponnese and Mediterranean region.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 267 x 196 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9786182180044