Vothonas (Kalentzi), Marathon, Eastern Attica,Attica
Tower of Gaï tana
| Location: |
| Location Gaï tana at the northern shore of the artificial lake of Marathon |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Attica Eastern Attica | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Marathon • Vothonas (Kalentzi) | |
| Altitude: | |
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Elevation ≈ 235 m (Relative Height≈5 m) |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 13th century | FRANKISH  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Tower |
Rather Poor
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Remnants of a medieval tower at the location Gaitana at the northern coast of the artificial lake of Marathon.
The tower is visible from the Marathon dam.
History
This is a Frankish tower from the 13th or the 14th century. Most probably it was built in the second half of the 13th century, when the region was ruled by the De LaRoche family.
In the time that it was built, the lake did not exist. The tower was overlooking a small ravine where the river Charadros was running. It was very close to two other similar towers that are not saved today.
Structure, Fortification & Buildings
Two walls of the tower still stand today (NW and NE). Its size is 5.40m v 4.18m. The thickness of the walls was 80 to 85 cm. The maximum preserved height is around 3,10 m.
Initially, it must have been a 3-storey building similar to the neighboring tower of Oinoe .
No opening for the entrance is observed in the standing walls.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | December 2015 |
Sources
- M.K. Langdon, The Mortared Towers of Central Greece: An Attic Supplement (p.481), The Annual of the British School at Athens (1995)
- Presented in cooperation with Mr. Ioannis Dedes who also took the pictures
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| The tower is accessed from Kapandriti through dirt roads leading to the fields north of the lake. Some walking is needed for the final approach. |
| Entrance: |
| Free access |
