Didymoteicho: The Ministry of Culture initiates restoration of the Historic Castle

The restoration of the Didymoteicho Castle is part of the projects planned by the Ministry of Culture for the border region of Evros. The research program, completed by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, forms the basis for the planned interventions aimed at protecting the castle and its integration with the urban environment.

“We now have a strategic plan for the protection of the Didymoteicho Castle monument and for highlighting its long-standing and contemporary relationship with the surrounding urban area. The restoration and enhancement of the castle is an extensive project with a long-term completion horizon. However, based on the results and conclusions of the research, we are now proceeding with the intervention program required for the monument, prioritizing the castle’s entrances, the paths inside, and the surrounding space. Our goal is the protection, morphological restoration, and functional integration of the monument into the city’s fabric. The preservation and promotion of the cultural identity of Didymoteicho, over time, is a priority for the Ministry of Culture, as part of the broader government strategy for the reconstruction and development of the border region of Evros,” said Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, adding: “Our intention is to highlight the intangible cultural heritage of the area, the history and legends connected to the castle, to underscore its significance, and to enrich the visitor’s experience. Following the restoration of the Church of Saint Athanasius in the Castle, the start of works for the restoration of the Bayezid Mosque, and the three post-Byzantine churches in the wider Didymoteicho area, the Ministry of Culture prioritizes the Didymoteicho Castle, which has dominated the area since the time of Justinian. A long-standing demand of the local community is being met. As we have committed, the results of the program will be presented in Didymoteicho in early 2025.”

The “Castle of the Twin Walls,” the most significant in Thrace, is located at the top of the Kale Hill, overlooking the city of Didymoteicho and built atop numerous carved caves. The castle as it exists today dates back to the 6th century AD. In the Byzantine Empire, Didymoteicho was an important center of trade, administration, and military activity. Its strategic geographic position was noted from ancient times. The castle’s strong fortifications, with thick walls, helped define its perimeter. The castle is largely well-preserved, with a wall perimeter of 1,300 meters, containing 24 towers. Inside the walls, there are scattered carved caves, which were used as parts of residences. According to historical sources, the walls of Didymoteicho were reconstructed during Justinian’s reign and reinforced in 751 AD under Constantine V and again in 1303. Between 1713-14, the King of Sweden, Charles XII, was held captive at the Didymoteicho Castle. Inside the castle walls, there is a small stone chapel and the current Armenian Church of Saint George (Surp Kevork), built on the site of the Byzantine Church of Saint George of Paleokastrites, where John VI Kantakouzenos was crowned Emperor on October 26, 1341.

Based on the results of the research program, immediate interventions are planned for the two gates: the Bridge Gate and the Marketplace Gate, and four towers: P1, P2, P3, and P4. The stone paving between the two gates will be restored to improve mobility within the castle. The caves will be preserved, and targeted repairs will be made to the walls, with priority given to sections where stonework has collapsed. A viewing area will be created toward Tower 1, known as the Tower of the Queen. Necessary expropriations and the management of abandoned structures are also required.

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