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Fortress of Rio: A bone of contention between Venetians and Ottomans

Monument

Opening hours View Hours
Rio, GR Get Directions

The Fortress of Rio is only a short distance away from the Rio – Antirrio Bridge.

The construction, ordered by Sultan Bayezid II, started in 1499 opposite the Castle of Antirrio so the Ottomans could fully control this strategic location, where the Gulf of Corinth spills into the Ionian Sea.

The fortress is shaped like a triangle, reinforced by cylindrical towers and protected on the landward side by two outer bastions connected to the main castle by stone bridges. It was later conquered by the Venetian, who carried out extensive repairs and renovations, before eventually being recaptured by the Ottomans.

Directions

26504, Rio, Patras

Get directions

By bus

By bus lines 604 (University – Hospital – Rio) and 605 (University – Hospital – Agios Vasileios – Rio), get off at the “Anatoliki Provlita” stop

By car

20 minutes from the centre of Patras

Opening hours

Summer hours

April 1 – October 31

Mon: 08:30 – 15:30
Tue: Closed
Wed: 08:30 – 15:30
Thu: 08:30 – 15:30
Fri: 08:30 – 15:30
Sat: 08:30 – 15:30
Sun: 08:30 – 15:30

Winter hours

November 1 – March 31

Mon: 08:30 – 15:30
Tue: Closed
Wed: 08:30 – 15:30
Thu: 08:30 – 15:30
Fri: 08:30 – 15:30
Sat: 08:30 – 15:30
Sun: 08:30 – 15:30

Last admission: 20 minutes before closing time



The site remains closed on the following dates and public holidays:
January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 & 26.

Tickets

Full: €5.00
Reduced: €3.00

Admission is free on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, on October 28, as well as on the first and third Sunday of each month between November 1 and March 31.

Amenities

WC
Parking
Accessibility

Contact

Fortress of Rio
Τ: +30 2610 990691

Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia
Τ: +30 2610 275070, +30 2610 276143
E: efaacha@culture.gr

See also

Castle of Antirrio: A prized possession

Castle of Antirrio
Monument

Archaeological Museum of Patras: The largest Roman mosaic floor collection in Greece

Archaeological Museum of Patras
Museum

Mycenaean Cemetery of Vounteni: A remarkable ancient necropolis of unique diversity

Mycenaean Cemetery of Vounteni
Archaeological Site

Archaeological Museum of Aigio: In the ancient cities of Aigialeia

Archaeological Museum of Aigio
Museum