Medieval tower of Plataea #1236

Description

The tower is believed to be of Frankish origin, constructed in the 13th or 14th century. Ancient materials, likely taken from the site of ancient Plataea, were used in its construction. The base of the tower measures 11.30 by 11.20 meters, with walls 1.60 meters thick. Its surviving height reaches 8 meters, making it a relatively large and solid structure.

The ground floor, measuring 7.5 meters in height, is vaulted and divided into two sections by a wall 80 cm thick. At the base of the tower, there are two openings, though these were likely not the original entrances. Typically, towers like this were accessed from the upper floor using a movable ladder.

In more recent times, the tower was used as a stable, and the ground-level doors may have been added during that period. Externally, the tower remains relatively intact, though the full original height is not preserved. It appears that there may not have been additional floors, and the roof was likely topped with a parapet and possibly battlements for defense.