This castle dates back to excavations at the time of Justinian but is built on the ruins of an ancient fortification, which can be seen in several places.
The location can be identified with the ancient city of Melivoia, the most famous city of Magnesia on the coast of Kissavos and a central point in the defense system of its coastal route
Thessaly, which was destroyed by the Romans in 168 BC. The citadel at Skiatha Agiokampos, 10 km away, was also connected to the same city in the past. to the south, where the wall is placed in the 3rd c. e.g. The fact that the two citadels control the same fertile coastal zone leads to the conclusion that they were closely connected and there may have been successive movements of the population from one to the other.
In the early Byzantine period only the citadel of Velika was inhabited, while similar facilities have been located in Kastri Loutro, Kokkino Nero and Skiti, which are located at a distance of about 10 km. one of the another. This series of fortresses shows the care of the Byzantine emperors for the security of
coastal route of Thessaly, which led from the castle of Platamonas to the Thessalian plain, through the basin of Agia.
With information from the Byzantine Ephorate of Antiquities
Photo source: larissanet
