Palaio Gynaikokastro, Kilkis

The Gynaikokastro in Kilkis is a medieval fortress built in the 14th century by Andronikos III Paleologos in Macedonia, near the village of the same name. It was intended to protect Thessaloniki from incursions by Serbs and other northern tribes. Its name probably derives from its use as a women’s refuge in times of war or from a female guard, although its precise origin remains uncertain. The fortress is constructed with stone and bricks at a strategic site and offers a panoramic view. Nowadays, it stands as a significant monument of Byzantine fortification architecture.