History and archaeology / Castle
Bigadiç Castle (Akhyraous)
Bigadiç, Balıkesir
The ruined outer walls of a castle known as Akhyraous in the Byzantine period, on the hill east of Bigadiç.
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Its story
On the hill east of Bigadiç are the remains of Achyraos (Akhyraous) Castle, built by the Byzantines in the 11th century. The settlement is first mentioned in Byzantine sources in 812 as a village; it gained importance in 1139 when John II Komnenos fortified it to protect the region and its roads. The castle is thought to have stood on the main road from the Hermos and Kaikos valleys to Constantinople; it is recorded that Frederick Barbarossa passed through here in 1190 during the Third Crusade. Taken by the Turks in 1302, the site was briefly held by the Catalans in 1304 before returning to the Karesids. Used as a headquarters during the Greek occupation, the castle's outer walls are badly ruined, but their foundations can still be traced.
Key facts
- Period
- Byzantine, 11th-12th century
- Status
- Ruins
- Ancient name
- Akhyraous / Achyraos
Trip purpose
- Free
- Photography
- Hiking
Location
39.39581, 28.13546
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhyraous | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigadi%C3%A7 | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131902095 | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118956354