The Castle of Mytilene on the island of Lesvos is undergoing a remarkable revival through a series of ambitious restoration projects led by Greece’s Ministry of Culture. It is one of the largest surviving medieval fortresses in the Mediterranean.
At the heart of these efforts is the restoration of the Ottoman seminary (Medrese), located within the main castle complex. This 16th-century structure, traditionally attributed to the legendary Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, was originally part of his foundation (waqf). The building is being restored at a rapid pace, with works managed by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesvos and funded with 1.5 million euros from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0.”
The Medrese, remarkably preserved, is a two-story building exemplifying the architectural standards of the Ottoman period. It features a square layout surrounding an inner courtyard, with rooms arranged in a characteristic P-shaped configuration. According to historical sources, the ground floor once housed a public kitchen and almshouse (imaret) within vaulted chambers that open to the central courtyard.
The upper floor reveals the Medrese’s educational and spiritual purpose. In its northeastern corner stands an imposing domed hall, while the southeastern side features a small mihrab, a prayer niche, indicating the building’s use for religious instruction. A gallery connects this central space to the living quarters of students (softades) and teachers (mullahs). Ottoman seminaries like this one offered education in the Qur’an, Arabic language, astronomy, and law. Some sources suggest it may have also served as a center for Sufi spiritual practice.
Significant progress is also being made in restoring the northeastern enclosure of the castle, where missing sections of the walls are being “resurrected” and the Byzantine-era gate—one of the few surviving elements from the castle’s earlier period—is now visible once again.
A broader vision for Mytilene Castle
These works are just one part of a broader, multi-phased restoration plan for the entire castle complex. The Ministry of Culture is investing heavily—over 15 million euros from EU structural funds—in the protection, preservation, and promotion of this monumental site. Ongoing and upcoming studies focus on key areas, including the Great Wall, the Acropyrgos (main tower), and the Ottoman Powder Depository.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni recently underscored the historical importance of the site:
“The Castle of Mytilene is one of the largest surviving medieval castles in the Mediterranean, covering 60 acres. It is primarily the work of the Gatelouzes, who ruled Lesvos during the Late Byzantine period (1355–1462), and the Ottomans, who occupied the island from 1462 to 1912. It served as the core of the city’s defense and administration during the medieval period.”
She emphasized that the restoration of the castle’s fortifications—particularly the northern and western walls of the Lower Castle, as well as key structures within the Upper Castle—aims not only to safeguard its architectural and archaeological heritage but also to revitalize it as a cultural and recreational hub organically connected to the historic center of Mytilene.
Already, complementary projects like the restoration of the Saplitza Warehouses—a 2.9 million euro initiative recently completed—are helping integrate the castle complex into the urban fabric, transforming it into a vibrant space that honors its layered past while inviting future generations to explore its stories.
Related: Gate to Byzantine City, Ottoman Baths Discovered under Mytilene Castle
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