A Byzantine fortress dominates the top of the hill over the Old Women’s Castle, Twelve kilometers southwest of Kilkis. The perpetual monument, which also gave its name to the village, will now be visible at night, as the lighting work of the perimeter of the walls, the Acropolis and the access path have been completed.
The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, inaugurating last night the work “Lighting and Macroean Demonstration of the Byzantine Fortress Fortress”, described the monument as “one of the most important Byzantine forts of the 14th century”. As he said, “The Ministry of Culture, which is responsible for the archaeological sites, He had to take care of it, not only because it is a monument, but because of his special relationship with the place and the local community. ” He added that “every such intervention is a mosaic on the development map of local communities” and that “the main concern of the ministry is to contribute to the development perspective of our country, especially in areas near the border”.
The boss of the Ephorate Antiquities of Kilkis Georgia Stratoulis recalled that “the-unprotected in the 14th century-was founded by Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328-1341), in order to strengthen the northern defense of the contracting Thessaloniki”. He added that “by the aristocrats of the city in 1342 during the revolution of the Zealots”. Referring to the name, he noted that “according to John Kantakouzenos, the woman was named after his powerful walls, who could even defend women”, while according to the Turkish traveler of the 17th century Hatzis Kalfas “associated with her fiction”.
The lighting project was financed by the Rural Development Program 2014-2020 (Leader) and includes the lighting of the walls of the fortress with a perimeter of 614 meters, of its walled Acropolis, the access route and the internal visitor paths. At the same time, a website was created in Greek and English, information signs and QR codes were installed that lead to digital material.
“The new and attentive lighting of the fortress will upgrade the aesthetic value of the historical space, increase its traffic and contribute to the tourist exploitation of the whole area,” said Mayor Kilkis Dimitris Kyriakidis, expressing his belief that “
Its general manager Kilkis Panagiotis Konstantinidis He noted that the company “was, is and will always be supported but also instigating such efforts and initiatives, inspired by vision and are performed with sustainability, quality and measurable results”.
The “present” at the event was also given by the Vice President of the House, George Georgantas, who emphasized that “in the field of culture, with the promotion of the archaeological sites and the upgrading of the Kilkis Museum, a measurable work is displayed, that already attracts people from other areas » And he stressed that the goal is to make all the visitors to become a community of this wealth.
Ms. Mendoni commented that “Kilkis in previous years did not receive the protection and promotion that suits his cultural reserve”. As he said, “Today, more than 850 projects are underway in all corners of our country, totaling € 1.3 billion. At the end of 2027, the Ministry of Culture will deliver restored monuments, archaeological sites and museums. The mosaic of the gynecastro is one of the elements that will compose the cultural and tourist map of Kilkis. “
The event closed With the screening of the short film “Women’s” Fortress Carter “» For the history of the fortress and the legend of Maroulia, created by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kilkis with funding by the Ministry of Culture.