ST. HILARION CASTLE previous picture return to gallery The dismantling and destruction of the Castle of St. Hilarion, as well as the other medieval fortresses of the kingdom, is attributed to the parsimony of the first Venetian proveditore of the island, Francesco di Priuli (c. 1489), by Jauna ('Histoire', p. 1049), who moreover accuses him of selling the fiefs of the Crown to persons of low condition and 'roturiers'. Jauna: 'Le Sénateur Priuli qui songeoit plus au profit qu à la magnificence voulant épargner l'entretien des garnisons nécessaires fit abattre les Chateaux Hilarion, et ceux de Cantara, Buffavento, Cave, Pothamia et Siguri." The glory time of the castles was over, because the Venetians did not need them anymore and maintaining a garrison was too expensive... <<<