Castle Square

Castle Square in Itylo. The history of the Castle of Itylo goes as far back as the epics of Homer. Itylo is mentioned in Homer's Iliad as one of the main towns in the region, along with the town of Las. Justinian repaired and restored the old Homeric walls in 531 AD, and the castle took its final form during the Frankish Rule and the rule of Villehardouin. There is sound evidence that places the still uncertain location of Maini Castle here at Itylo Castle, rather than on the Tigani peninsula at Mezapos (another possible location). One reason is its strategic position, since control of Itylo was a key requirement for control of all of Lakonian Mani.