Modon

Modon, also known as Modone in Italian and Methoni in Greek, is a historic fortified town at the tip of the Methoni peninsula in Messenia, southwestern Greece. It centers on the Venetian fortress known as the Castle of Modon, a major maritime stronghold of the Republic of Venice that controlled western approaches to the Aegean and the Levantine trade routes.

Location and features: The fortress sits on a promontory overlooking a natural harbor, with extensive defensive walls, bastions, and outworks. The Pharos of Methoni, a venerable lighthouse built by the Venetians, stands near the headland and remains a visible landmark today. The complex also includes a long seawall and remnants of other fortifications dating to the medieval and early modern periods.

History: The site has ancient roots but became a major Venetian possession after the Crusader era, when Methoni was acquired by Venice in the early 13th century as part of its maritime empire, the Stato da Mar. It functioned as a principal naval base and commercial hub for centuries. The fortress endured numerous sieges during the conflicts between Venice and the Ottoman Empire and other powers before falling to the Ottomans in the early 18th century, marking a shift in control of the western Peloponnese.

Present day: Today, Modon is a protected archaeological site and tourist destination. Its well-preserved fortifications and the Pharos reflect Venetian military architecture and Mediterranean naval history, attracting visitors interested in maritime heritage and the history of the Ionian–Aegean region.