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Type:
Date: phases
Description:
Hill on Hymettus (between the main body of Hymettus and Mavrovounion), approximately 3 km. northwest of Koropi – position Filiati (ancient demos Sfittou)-. The fortification remnants, mostly parts from the external walls of the castle, surround the hill, which can be reached from the Bethlehem Monastery (Birth of Christ). Before the construction of this new Monastery a post Byzantine small church used to be in its position known by the name Christos, hence the name of the hill. Thus, the fortification remained known as Christos castle. It is a fortified spot controlling the passage between Hymettus and Mavrovounion. There existed a path which led via Hymettus to Athens and Mesogeia conversely.
The position Christos is also marked on the Curtious-Kaupert map (19th century).
The fortification took place during the ancient period but it also has building phases both to the early Christian years and the period of the Frankish rule.
The importance of the area during the Middle Ages is strengthened by the ruins of two towers (Filiati and Fouvagia, 14th – 15th century).
The present state of the preserved wall parts give the impression of a dry-stone masonry.
Curtius-Kaupert, Karten von Attica, Berlin 1885-1891, Karte IV, Text II 32, Koder J.- Hild F., Hellas und Thessalia, Tabula Imperii Byzantini I,Wien 1976, p. 99, 185.