Riniasa Castle (Greek: Κάστρο Ῥινιάσας), originally known as Thomokastron (Greek: Θωμόκαστρον, lit.'Castle of Thomas'), is a medieval Byzantine fortress on the coast of Epirus, close to the modern village of Riza near Preveza. The castle is today in a ruinous condition.

Quick Facts Coordinates, Type ...
Riniasa Castle
Κάστρο Ῥινιάσας
Riza, Western Greece
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Riniasa Castle
Riniasa Castle
Coordinates39.0803°N 20.3533°E / 39.0803; 20.3533
Typehilltop citadel
Height185 m
Site information
OwnerGreek Ministry of Culture
Controlled by
Open to
the public
Yes
Conditionruin
Site history
Builtlate 13th century/early 14th century
Built byByzantine Empire
Materialshewn stone (ashlar)
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History

The castle was built (or rebuilt) by Thomas I the Despot of Epirus, at the beginning of the 14th century. Hence, was named Thomokastron ("Thomas' castle") or the "castle of the despotes." It was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1463 and liberated from the Turks and the rest of Greek Epirus during the 20th century.[1][2][3] It is the site of the 1803 self-immolation of Despo Botsi and her family, after which it is also known as Despo's Castle (Κάστρο της Δέσπως).

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