Visaltia, Serres,Central Macedonia
Tower of Chandakas
| Location: |
| At the west bank of Strymon river across Amfipolis, North Greece |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Central Macedonia Serres | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Visaltia • | |
| Altitude: | |
| Elevation ≈ 15 m |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| 14th century or earlier | BYZANTINE  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Tower |
Rather Poor
|
The tower is opposite to Amfipolis, very close (less than 1000m) to the tower of Marmari but on the other bank of Strymon river.
History
There is no info about the construction of the tower, but most probably it was built around the same time with the tower of Marmari, i.e. in the 14th century. Or perhaps, a little earlier.
It was close to a Byzantine village named Chandakas and in those days it was a dependancy of the monastery of Zografou in Athos mountain.
Structure, Fortification & Buildings
The tower is square with internal dimensions 7✖7m. The thickness of the walls is 1.60m. It is preserved at a maximum height of 8m. Initially it was a 3-storey building with 49sq.m. space in each floor.
It was surrounded by a small fortified wall 12.0✖12.5m of which only some parts remain at the northern side.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | October 2012 |
Sources
- Petros Samsaris, (2004)“ Byzantine places and monuments of the lower valley of the Strymon river. ”, page 630
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| From Egnatia Nat.Road, exit Nea Kerdyllia. After the lion of Amfipolis (big statue) continue towards Nigrita. After 4km there is a dirt road to the right leading to the tower after 1.5 km. |
| Entrance: |
| Like most isolated and neglected towers, the access to the surrounding area is free but the entrance inside is difficult and dangerous. |
