One of the Genoan viglas or watchtowers of the west coast of Chios. This one is at the cape “Pyrgaki”, at the south side of the bay of Merikounda, west of the village Mesta.

The “viglas” are small medieval cylindrical towers built on the island’s capes and shores for the purpose of monitoring the sea and to give an early warning to the islanders for a possible attack by pirates or other invaders. Most of them have been erected around the 15th century (or a few decades earlier or later).

The watchtower of Merikounda is not in good condition as it is preserved in very low height.

Today, 35 such watchtowers have been located on the island, twenty-four of which have been designated as listed monuments.

At short distances and in full view of one another, they constituted a coastal observation and message transmission network.

A comprehensive article about the history and the construction of the vigles of Chios, is published in the blog of Kastrologos: Βίγλες της Χίου. (In Greek only).