New Castle of Pylos
New Castle of Pylos
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
380 reviews
Excellent
214
Very good
126
Average
35
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Chardychef
Sydney, Australia121 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
What a surprise and better than expected. 6€ entry was well worth it! The views from the top are excellent and the museum inside is full of interesting artifacts as well as a place to cool down from the 36 degree heat! We spent 2hrs and saw it all. Come back via the karalis beach hotel nearby for a drink and swim.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GR-CA1
California69 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Pylos is a great town, rich in very important Greek history. It's not over-run by tourists, on the quiet side. There are wonderful seaside restaurants and cafe's that also offer beautiful views. You may see someone walk down the staircase that leads into the water to go for a swim.
Pylos is a central location. You can stay in the town and drive to several nearby sites like Methoni, Voidokoilia Beach, Ancient Messini...
Pylos is a central location. You can stay in the town and drive to several nearby sites like Methoni, Voidokoilia Beach, Ancient Messini...
Written September 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul B
Greater Manchester, UK817 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Properly spelt Neo Kastro, this is an Ottoman fortress and fortified town built around two batteries defending Navarino Bay. The original fortifications look as though designed by a Venetian in Ottoman pay. It was criticised by the Venetians under Morosini as having the main 'keep' set too close to higher ground. The Venetians tried to compensate for this deficiency by designing a massive 'hornwork' on the higher ground, but this was never built. Instead, three small ravelins were built into the counterscarp walls, but these appear to have been two-storied structures and seem to be unique to this fortress.
After the Battle of Navarino, the French General Maison, removed all the houses within fortress into the modern town of Pylos nearby and built a barracks block in the fortress.
The fortress was damaged in WW2 when Allied aircraft hit an Italian magazine near Navarino Bay. For many years the main keep was used as a prison, but the walls of the prison have now been removed and the fortress has been partially restored.
The barracks block is now a superb museum for underwater archaeology. The church inside the fortress was the original Ottoman mosque, re-consecrated as a Catholic Church, as a Mosque again and finally as an Orthodox Church.
Outside the Fortress is a large section of aqueduct, built by the Ottomans at the same time as they built the fortress and supplying large cisterns within it.
This is a very large and imposing fortress, well-worth visiting.
After the Battle of Navarino, the French General Maison, removed all the houses within fortress into the modern town of Pylos nearby and built a barracks block in the fortress.
The fortress was damaged in WW2 when Allied aircraft hit an Italian magazine near Navarino Bay. For many years the main keep was used as a prison, but the walls of the prison have now been removed and the fortress has been partially restored.
The barracks block is now a superb museum for underwater archaeology. The church inside the fortress was the original Ottoman mosque, re-consecrated as a Catholic Church, as a Mosque again and finally as an Orthodox Church.
Outside the Fortress is a large section of aqueduct, built by the Ottomans at the same time as they built the fortress and supplying large cisterns within it.
This is a very large and imposing fortress, well-worth visiting.
Written May 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vincedaniels
Kalamata, Greece64 contributions
Oct 2018
Fantastic city and castle. Views are great, and museum very informative. This is a great place to visit.
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will K
Finikounda, Greece25 contributions
Sep 2018
We wanted to visit the part of the castle wich houses the sub-marine museum. We only found out after we bought the tickets that it was not open and will not be open on short notice. It was our own fault the manbehind the desk told us: e had to ask what we wanted to visit. It wasn't his duty to tell us, part of the museum was closed! No cashback! The world upside down in my opinion!
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geordiegirl_8
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK288 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Well worth a visit. As well as the castle itself, there is a church, which used to be a mosque and some onsite museums. Go to the edge of the site to get the views. There is a leaflet and map which wasn’t offered to us, but there were a number in the main museum (building number 2). There was another building with a film about the process of underwater archeology and some excellent panels in the main castle area - everything you ever wanted to know about amphora. Unfortunately two other buildings / display areas were closed. It’s a 7-10 minute walk from the main square and well worth the 6 euro entry fee
Written September 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanne J
Bellevue, Washington, USA381 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Coming into the harbor of Pylos walk off to the right up hill and you come shortly to Niokastro built by the Turks. Enter the outer wall through pine forest. Don’t missthe dirt path up hill to the old fortification with thick walls and great views from the top. You get up the wall by a wide ramp. Within the acropolis there are fruit trees in full fruit in April, lemon and orange. Built into the walks are niches with displays and even a museum of several rooms. There are more exhibits is two buildings in the lower area on underwater archeology, ancient Greek towns discovered off shore. A lovely Byzantine church is on the grounds also.
Written March 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveljourney
Athens, Greece36 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
If you are at Pylos or the nearby area then you should absolutely visit Niokastro.
The castle itself is quite big and impressive, of course as with almost all castles in Greece, the main buildings were destroyed because you know they are really old and because they went through many wars, attacks, fires, earthquaqes etc.
Mainly the impressive walls and fortifying structures have been preserved.
Actually in Niokastro there are preserved buildings sheltering the 3 museums you can visit inside the castle.
The whole thing is very nice, the views are stunning, you can take amazing photos.
The museums are small but very interesting.
There is one archaeological and two about undersea antiquities.
There is als a video about the historic shipbattle that took place in the bay of Navarino and sealed the end of the ottoman occupation in Greece.
Its absolutely worth the visit before or after your seabath (i would recommend before)
You will learn some things about the history of the place, interesting Information about the undersea archaeology in Greece and take fabulous photos.
Also during your walk there are a few places under the trees with benches, You can seat a little while there, enjoying the silence, the scenery, the sea breeze, the quietness.
These places always have a special vibe and i really enjoy spend some time in them. These are places you can stay still and think.
As for the ticket 6 euros for adults (children and teens for free), i find it very reasonable.
Its a shame people especially Greeks complaining about that price.
These very people i believe they pay excessive tickets for similar places abroad without complaining. (where teens also have to pay)
If a family of 4 visits the place they pay 12 euros. Is that too much for their family to learn and appreciate history of the place? They happily pay much more for coffee and cakes.
The castle itself is quite big and impressive, of course as with almost all castles in Greece, the main buildings were destroyed because you know they are really old and because they went through many wars, attacks, fires, earthquaqes etc.
Mainly the impressive walls and fortifying structures have been preserved.
Actually in Niokastro there are preserved buildings sheltering the 3 museums you can visit inside the castle.
The whole thing is very nice, the views are stunning, you can take amazing photos.
The museums are small but very interesting.
There is one archaeological and two about undersea antiquities.
There is als a video about the historic shipbattle that took place in the bay of Navarino and sealed the end of the ottoman occupation in Greece.
Its absolutely worth the visit before or after your seabath (i would recommend before)
You will learn some things about the history of the place, interesting Information about the undersea archaeology in Greece and take fabulous photos.
Also during your walk there are a few places under the trees with benches, You can seat a little while there, enjoying the silence, the scenery, the sea breeze, the quietness.
These places always have a special vibe and i really enjoy spend some time in them. These are places you can stay still and think.
As for the ticket 6 euros for adults (children and teens for free), i find it very reasonable.
Its a shame people especially Greeks complaining about that price.
These very people i believe they pay excessive tickets for similar places abroad without complaining. (where teens also have to pay)
If a family of 4 visits the place they pay 12 euros. Is that too much for their family to learn and appreciate history of the place? They happily pay much more for coffee and cakes.
Written September 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robertstj
Grand Rapids, MI180 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
If this is the place for the Navarino castle, I highly recommend it. I would do this rather than go to Delphi, Olympia, Mystras, or mycenae. In one day you can do koroni, methoni and pilos. Each castle i listed is different, beautiful, and better in that order.I know the sign says closed but if you can do a 15min walk, not much hiking, then you will love this. It was best day of my 7 days in Greece. I believe there are two ways up. We came from the south and walked from the left of the castle to it. It looks like a treacherous walk. But it was like 15min. You can do it. The views were amazing and one of the best things ive ever seen. Walk around the top of the castle stone until you can see the lagoon. Such an amazing view. Free entrance since it is technically closed due to danger but its not dangerous, at least when I was there. PLEASE see koroni, methoni and navarino in one day. If you came up from the Gialova side, or south side of the lagoon then you will park near the bottom and have a walk. I hear if you drive near Petrochori and come in from that way it is less walking but im not sure. Id say 1hr 30 min here is ok. 2 hours is better
Written January 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greekgantua
Athens, Greece213 contributions
May 2016 • Family
There is plenty to see in this well-preserved -originally Ottoman- castle, initially built around 1573. You should allow yourself more than 1.5 hour for a complete tour of this battle scarred castle, which changed hands many times.
The view of Pylos Bay and Sphacteria island from the walls is exceptional.
Some parts of the inner castle (Acropolis) are slightly dangerous.
Inside the castle there is a small museum of prehistoric findings, which is quite interesting.
The museum of underwater archaeology is also nice. The short film spends too much time on legislation and describing the organizational structure of archaeology services, and is therefore partially boring. Nevertheless, the exhibits are very interesting.
Parking space is available close to the entrance.
In the summer you should prefer to visit it as late as possible in the afternoon or early in the morning. Don't forget to bring some water, a hat and your camera.
The view of Pylos Bay and Sphacteria island from the walls is exceptional.
Some parts of the inner castle (Acropolis) are slightly dangerous.
Inside the castle there is a small museum of prehistoric findings, which is quite interesting.
The museum of underwater archaeology is also nice. The short film spends too much time on legislation and describing the organizational structure of archaeology services, and is therefore partially boring. Nevertheless, the exhibits are very interesting.
Parking space is available close to the entrance.
In the summer you should prefer to visit it as late as possible in the afternoon or early in the morning. Don't forget to bring some water, a hat and your camera.
Written August 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Είναι μεγάλο το κάστρο; Έχει αρκετό περπάτημα για μικρά παιδάκια;
Written July 11, 2024
Από την Πύλο στο κάστρο, με τα πόδια πόσην ώρα είναι;😊 ευχαριστώ
Written October 18, 2019
.. από τη πλατεία 5 λεπτά.... ανηφόρα κόντρα όμως....
Written October 18, 2019
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