Tower houses are typical examples of 18th century architecture in Mani. They were built to ensure that residents could fight off pirates, Ottoman Turks, and other invaders. The towers also protected the clan-based social system from the disputes and rivalries it entailed.

Every tower belonged to one clan and protected the extended family, the members of which usually lived in surrounding houses. Guarding and maintaining the structure of the Tower was the duty of the entire clan. It should be noted that women never inherited a tower, as it was always passed down to the closest male relative.

The Towers of Mani are made of stone and some of them are multi-storey constructs. Some up to 20 metres tall and have 4 or 5 storeys. Towers were well designed with necessary embrasures (gunholes), machicolations, and crenelated wall corners. The machicolations were placed above sites the attackers had to use on their way to invade the tower (e.g., above gates or over the only passage available, adjacent to a house wall).

The crenelations were usually placed at two diagonally opposed angles or facing the likely point of the attackers’ approach; they were projecting, circular or polygonal battlements, the main part of which was surrounded by a high parapet. A crenelated corner ensured that two sides of the building were monitored from each point: One guarded the north and west sides and the other the south and east sides. This meant that only two sentries (vardiatores) were necessary to guard the tower.

The construction of towers in Mani continued almost until the late 19th century and stopped when state authority gradually replaced the patriarchal clan rule.

Topographical diagram of Kastania
1. The Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour
2. Venetsanakis-Tzanetakis Tower Hose
3. The Holy Church of Agios Dimitrios
4. Venetsanakis-Kapetanakis’ Tower Hose
5. The Holy Church of Agios Georgios
6. Xanthakis Tower Hose
7. Venetsanakis-Kapetanakis’ Tower Hose
8. Poulakos Tower Hose
9. Chousianakis Tower Hose
10. Venetsanakis-Moutzourakos Tower Hose

Copyright Ministry of Culture, Ephorate of Antiquities of Laconia.