Abstract / Description of output
Oria Kastro is a ruined fortified settlement on the island of Kythnos in the western Cyclades in Greece. Built on a remote cliff, it is considered to have been Kythnos’ medieval capital, founded Byzantine times in the 7th century AD. Its present form, however, is the result of alterations made by the Latins in the early 13th century, after they established their Aegean Duchy. Its walls include about 130 buildings of various uses (houses, churches, cisterns etc.).
What is special about this stronghold, is that after being captured and destroyed by the Ottomans in the 1570s, it was abandoned never to be inhabited again, becoming a valuable fossil of the original layout of such settlements. While most other contemporary Aegean kastra gradually transformed into modern settlements, Oria preserved an amalgamation of both Byzantine and Latin construction phases. Despite its importance the site has not been subject to systematic research so far.
Kythnos has always been a poor island with limited resources. Its landscape is rocky and barren with barely any woodlands. The only material found in abundance is stone. This lack of variety in raw materials is also reflected in Oria’s remains which are very poor, mostly in local rubble stones. Timber was used sparingly, and mortar was reserved only for important public buildings (churches and cisterns) and the walls. Imported building materials were a rare luxury, so building methods and techniques are very local.
This study is part of a wider attempt to document and analyse the remains of the Kastro. Through detailed surveys it aims to record the building materials, identify their origins (Byzantine or Latin) and understand how their availability determined size and form. Analysis of prominent buildings (townhouse of the Gozzadini lairds, churches) reveals a gradual sophistication in construction from local Byzantine practice, either in the diversification of elements or the more precise use of stone like schist in creating arches and piers. Limit State analysis of the few remaining vaults will further support the assessment of the masons’ skills.
Although vernacular in character, Oria was very important on a local scale, shaping the historical course of Kythnos. Oria possibly represents the broader contemporary development of settlements in Latin Cyclades outside the better known and more elaborate central islands like Naxos or Paros, so this study takes a snapshot of construction culture of the time. There are very few studies on similar sites in medieval Cyclades, with very limited analysis of building fabric.
What is special about this stronghold, is that after being captured and destroyed by the Ottomans in the 1570s, it was abandoned never to be inhabited again, becoming a valuable fossil of the original layout of such settlements. While most other contemporary Aegean kastra gradually transformed into modern settlements, Oria preserved an amalgamation of both Byzantine and Latin construction phases. Despite its importance the site has not been subject to systematic research so far.
Kythnos has always been a poor island with limited resources. Its landscape is rocky and barren with barely any woodlands. The only material found in abundance is stone. This lack of variety in raw materials is also reflected in Oria’s remains which are very poor, mostly in local rubble stones. Timber was used sparingly, and mortar was reserved only for important public buildings (churches and cisterns) and the walls. Imported building materials were a rare luxury, so building methods and techniques are very local.
This study is part of a wider attempt to document and analyse the remains of the Kastro. Through detailed surveys it aims to record the building materials, identify their origins (Byzantine or Latin) and understand how their availability determined size and form. Analysis of prominent buildings (townhouse of the Gozzadini lairds, churches) reveals a gradual sophistication in construction from local Byzantine practice, either in the diversification of elements or the more precise use of stone like schist in creating arches and piers. Limit State analysis of the few remaining vaults will further support the assessment of the masons’ skills.
Although vernacular in character, Oria was very important on a local scale, shaping the historical course of Kythnos. Oria possibly represents the broader contemporary development of settlements in Latin Cyclades outside the better known and more elaborate central islands like Naxos or Paros, so this study takes a snapshot of construction culture of the time. There are very few studies on similar sites in medieval Cyclades, with very limited analysis of building fabric.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Seventh Annual Conference on Construction History April 2020 |
Subtitle of host publication | Iron, Steel and Buildings: The Proceedings of the Seventh Conference of the Construction History Society. |
Place of Publication | Cambridge |
Pages | 235-248 |
Publication status | Published - 4 Apr 2020 |