Pontikokastro in Katakolo (or Beau Voir)

Ruins of a Medieval castle above the port of Katakolo in the area of Agios Andreas. According to archaeological sources it was built in the 13th century by the Franks on the ruins of an older Byzantine fortress and on the acropolis of ancient Fies. The castle was named by the Franks Beau-Voir (French: Beau-Voir) and was also referred to as Bel Belvedere (Italian: Bel Vedere). Both mean “nice view”. The Byzantine name of the castle was Pontian or Pontian, and after the Ottoman conquest, Ponikokastro. It is likely to be named “Pontic” because of its shape or because it is on the sea (pontos = sea). The Byzantine castle was first mentioned from the sources in 1111. During the following years, Pontikastro became one of the family feasts of the Villadorion and was among the 12 major castles that protected Moria in Frankish rule.