Castle of Chora

The Castle of Chora in Andros

The Venetian castle of Chora, also known as Lower Castle, is one of the most important sights of the island. It is located at the lower end of the capital of the island, in the square of the Unknown Sailor. It is the fortified residence of the Venetian ruler Marinos Dandolos, when he conquered the island. The castle was connected to the island by a stone vaulted Kamara. The inhabitants, in order to protect themselves from the pirates, built the city inside the castle on the narrow peninsula between Paraporti and Neimporio.

The castle was built in 1207 and was completely destroyed by the Germans in 1943. Until then, the towers and barracks of the castle, as well as the coats of arms of the Venetian rulers, were well preserved. Today, however, there are only its ruins. The arch in its current form was built after the war.