Greece has reopened the restored Byzantine Moglena Castle in Pella following the completion of a €1.85 million conservation and enhancement project. The Recovery and Resilience Facility financed the work. For centuries, Moglena Castle served as an important center of administration, defense, and ecclesiastical organization in Macedonia.
Its association with major figures in Byzantine history, including Emperors Basil II—known as the Bulgar Slayer—and Alexios I Komnenos, underscores the castle’s broader historical significance.
Byzantine Moglena Castle Reflects Greece’s Medieval History
The monument is widely known as the Castle of Chrysi because of its proximity to the modern village of the same name. Overlooking the Almopia plain from a commanding position, the fortress enabled its inhabitants to monitor and protect the surrounding territory.
European travelers documented the ruins during the 19th century and linked them to the Byzantine settlement of Moglena. The settlement developed into a major administrative and religious center, serving as the seat of both the military Theme of Moglena and the local bishopric.
Moglena also played an important role in Byzantine efforts to establish and maintain control over the wider region. One of the historical figures most closely associated with the site is Hilarion, who served as Bishop of Moglena during the second quarter of the 12th century and was later recognized as a saint.
During his episcopate, Hilarion strongly opposed the Bogomils, followers of a medieval Christian movement that had established a presence in the area. The fortified settlement remained active until the late 14th century, when the Ottoman conquest transformed the region’s political and social landscape. Its residents gradually abandoned the site and established new communities across the surrounding plain.
Excavations uncover an episcopal basilica
Archaeologists conducted the first systematic excavations at Moglena Castle between 1985 and 1987. Their research uncovered a three-aisled basilica inside the fortifications.
The building was identified as the episcopal church of Byzantine Moglena. Outside the southern walls, archaeologists also discovered a small cross-shaped church and part of a cemetery, offering further evidence of the settlement’s religious importance.
In 2016, the Pella Ephorate of Antiquities partnered with the Municipality of Almopia to advance plans for the monument’s conservation, restoration, and presentation. Through the European Union’s INTERREG program, the two authorities commissioned a series of technical and archaeological studies for the site.
Further excavations between 2016 and 2018 produced new evidence, prompting officials to revise the original plans. The government then included the restoration project in the Recovery and Resilience Facility in early 2022.
How Greece Restored the Byzantine Moglena Castle
The restoration program strengthened the monument’s foundations and addressed damage across a substantial section of the eastern walls. Conservation specialists restored the gate tower along the southern fortifications, repaired cavities and damaged surfaces, and stabilized vulnerable sections of masonry. They also conserved the walls of the episcopal basilica and the smaller cemetery church. The project extended beyond the castle’s surviving architectural remains.
Crews redesigned the immediate surroundings to improve access and present the monument more effectively within its natural landscape. New walking routes now guide visitors through the archaeological site. Stairways and elevated viewing areas offer panoramic views of the Almopia plain and allow visitors to better understand the castle’s strategic position. Authorities also installed informational panels throughout the site and added lighting to the fortifications and selected visitor routes.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
