Στο Παράλιο Άστρος και στην νότια κορυφή του λόφου (νησί) που δεσπόζει του λιμανιού, υπάρχει κάστρο από τα χρόνια της φραγκοκρατίας. Συχνά αναφέρεται και σαν Κάστρο (ή Πύργος) των Ζαφειρόπουλων.
Το έχτισε το 1256 μ.Χ. ο πρίγκιπας Γουλιέλμος Βιλεαρδουινός (Castello della estella όπως το ονόμαζε) και διέμενε σ' αυτό ο Ενετός Διοικητής.
Στα μεταγενέστερα χρόνια της Τουρκοκρατίας το κάστρο διαμορφώθηκε σε ισχυρό αμυντικό συγκρότημα.
Τον 18ο αιώνα, τρεις αδελφοί, οι αδελφοί Ζαφειρόπουλοι, εύποροι έμποροι στο εξωτερικό, επέστρεψαν στην ιδιαίτερη πατρίδα τους για να αγωνιστούν κατά των Τούρκων και οικοδόμησαν στο χώρο του κάστρου τρεις κατοικίες, διαμορφώνοντας παράλληλα το εσωτερικό του. Οι κατοικίες αυτές είναι χαρακτηριστικά δείγματα της προεπαναστατικής αρχιτεκτονικής της περιοχής και σώζονται μέχρι σήμερα, οι δύο πρώτες σε ημιερειπωμένη και η Τρίτη σε ερειπωμένη κατάσταση.
Έχει τετράπλευρη κάτοψη και διατηρεί μεγάλο τμήμα του οχυρωματικού περιβόλου και έναν από τους οχυρούς του πύργους. Σώζονται επίσης δύο εξωτερικές πύλες του κάστρου.
The castle, according to the Chronicle of Morea, was built in 1256 by the prince of the Principality of Achaea, William II of Villehardouin, in order to subdue the Tsakones who lived in the area. The castle was called Castello della Estella, the Star Castle, due to the asteroid peninsula in which it was built. This castle was built almost simultaneously with the Castle of Oria, which was built for the same purpose. In 1465, during the first Venetian war, the castle was handed over to the Venetian commander of Nafplion, Christophoro de Priuli. In the following years the castle broke down and the medieval fortifications collapsed.
In the period of 1821, rich merchants abroad, the brothers Zafeiropoulos (Constantine, John and Panayotis), who originated from Agios Ioannis, fortify the castle by making their homes there. On August 4, 1826, 1,200 soldiers who had been locked in the castle defeated the numerous army of Ibrahim who besieged it. In 1833, Panos Zafeiropoulos (Aquarius) dedicated the castle to the Kingdom of Greece and King Othon. In the early 20th century, the castle was abandoned and deserted.
The castle, according to the Chronicle of Morea, was built in 1256 by the prince of the Principality of Achaea, William II of Villehardouin, in order to subdue the Tsakones who lived in the area. The castle was called Castello della Estella, the Star Castle, due to the asteroid peninsula in which it was built. This castle was built almost simultaneously with the Castle of Oria, which was built for the same purpose. In 1465, during the first Venetian war, the castle was handed over to the Venetian commander of Nafplion, Christophoro de Priuli. In the following years the castle broke down and the medieval fortifications collapsed.
In the period of 1821, rich merchants abroad, the brothers Zafeiropoulos (Constantine, John and Panayotis), who originated from Agios Ioannis, fortify the castle by making their homes there. On August 4, 1826, 1,200 soldiers who had been locked in the castle defeated the numerous army of Ibrahim who besieged it. In 1833, Panos Zafeiropoulos (Aquarius) dedicated the castle to the Kingdom of Greece and King Othon. In the early 20th century, the castle was abandoned and deserted.
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