Lassithi Towers
The Prefecture of Lassithi has more Towers than any other prefectures of Crete, with many mansions, castles and seraglios scattered throughout the territory. The existence of these fortifications highlights the importance given especially by the Venetians to the region. Also, these many towers were the reason why the Turks did not build Koules later (after 1869), as they used the preexisting ones to control the natural passages of East Crete. Let's see the towers of Lasithi in more detail.
Villa De Mezzo in Etia
Etia is an deserted medieval village, located near Lithines of Sitia province, which in its heyday was the largest village of the area with more than 500 residents. It is worth strolling among the Venetian buildings of the village. Here in the late 15th century, the Venetian master Pietro Dei Mezzo, which was the feudal lord of the surrounding area, built the mansion De Mezzo, known as Villa De Mezzo or Seraglio. It was one of the most glorious Venetian buildings in Crete.
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The tower of Pasqualigo in Neapolis
One mile southwest of Neapolis town, on the northern slopes of Mount Kavalaras, there is the beautiful grove of Pashaligo. The small forest takes its name after the Venetian feudal lord Fillipo Pasqualigo, the military governor of Candia (1592-1600), who used to live in a nearby Tower.
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Tower of Maslum Karakasis in Neapolis
In Neapolis town, in Agios Dimitrios area and next to the old aqueduct there was the house of the janissary Maslum Karakasis, which served as a tower. It was said to have 100 doors, one imposing central gate (called Portela today) and 30 arches. Portela gate closed in the same way of the castle Rumeli Hisar in Constantinople. The building was firstly constructed by the Venetian feudal lord Rasqualigo.
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Kornaros Tower
The Tower of Kornaros is located northeast of Myrsine village, 24km west of Sitia. It is a small square stone-built tower that was used as a lookout during the period of the Venetian and the Ottoman rule, which has good views to the north coast.
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Voila Tower
The Fortress Voila is located 1km away from the village of Chandras, in the beautiful plateau of Ziros. Voila was also a small medieval village, which is currently abandoned, like many villages in the area.
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Lithines tower
Lithines is a large village located 26km southwest of Sitia, which is considered to have taken its name after the Byzantine feudal noble Luke Litinos. There was one of the most historical Towers of Crete, which is however totally destroyed today.
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The Tower of Chanialis in Magoulas
The tower of Magoulas, in Lassithi plateau, was the summer konak (house) - tower of Chanialis, who stayed there during summers. Chanialis was a Turk janissary who oppressed a great region of East Crete. He was the founder of the family of Chanialis and was an Islamized Christian from Chania (Chania -> Chanialis). His real name was Zade Ahmet Aga.
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The tower of Afentakakis in St George
The Tower of St. George was built at the homonym village of Sitia province, which was then called Tourtouli. It was the residence of ordakayasi (Turkish commander) of Sitia, Ibrahim Afentakis or Afentakakis. It was an complete tower with a large courtyard and prisons.
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The tower of Zou
Zou is a small green village located 7km south of Sitia. Its name probably derives from the Turkish word su, which means water, as water abounds here, flowing from the famous spring of Zou.
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The rest towers of Lassithi
Besides the towers already mentioned, Lassithi Prefecture had many more towers, such as that of Petras (near Sitia), Malles, Kalogeri, Stavros, Giannitsi, Latsida, Skinias, Chrissi islet, Mouliana, etc.
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