Grigoria, Faistos, Herakleion,Crete
Koules of Grammeni
| Location: |
| On a hill between the villages Grigoria and Magarikari, 4.5km north of Tympaki, Crete |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Crete Herakleion | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
| City of Faistos • Grigoria | |
| Altitude: | |
| Elevation ≈ 380 m |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| around 1867 | OTTOMAN  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Small Fort |
Not Good
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One of the numerous little forts that the Ottomans built in the 19th century in order to control the interior highlands of Crete.
History
The Turks built several "Koules" in the Prefecture of Heraklion, mainly in the plain of Messara which was a strongly guarded area. The passages leading to it were all fortified with series of towers, so that Messara could not communicate with the neighboring areas.
In the small valley of Kamares - Grigoria - Magarikari were the Koules of Grammeni and the Koules of Kremastos. The first was built between Grigoria and Magarikari, next to the current road. It is in good condition, with almost all of its roof surviving. The Koules was probably central (Kisla) as it has big dimensions (25x11m) and was equipped with 24 battlements.
The location is prominent and naturally fortified. The Koules of Grammeni also hosted the residents of Magarikari in May 1944, while the Germans destroyed their village.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | December 2013 |
Sources
- Giannis Christakis, "Historical Fortification Monuments of Crete (330BC-1898)", Publication Kritika Grammata, 2004
- Website ΙΔΗ - ΚΟΥΛΕΔΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ (Greek only)
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| Access |
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| Entrance: |
| Access is free |
| Other castles around |
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| Tower of Ancient Eleftherna |
| Church Of St. George of Falandra |
| Acropolis of Gortyna |
| Koules of Meronas |
| Koules of Ano Moulia |
| Castel Nuovo |
| Koules of Vathiako |
| Xopateras Tower |
