Xiropotamou monastery, Athos
Tower of Poulcheria
or Tower of the Countess
| Location: |
| In Athos peninsula, 700m north of the port of Daphne, on the road to Karyes |
| Region > Prefecture: |  |
| Athos Mount Athos | |
| Municipality > Town: | |
• Xiropotamou monastery | |
| Altitude: | |
| Elevation ≈ 15 m |
| Time of Construction | Origin | |
| Unknown | BYZANTINE  |
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| Castle Type | Condition | |
| Tower |
Rather Poor
|
Ruins of a tower on the western coast of Athos peninsula very close to the port of Dafne and on the road from Dafne (the main port of Athos) to Karyes (the capital of the Athos monastic community).
It belongs to the monastery of Xiropotamou.
It is called «tower of Poulcheria» or «tower of the countess» from the Byzantine empress Poulcheria (399-453) who, according to the tradition, had founded the Xiropotamou monastery.
The time of construction of the tower is not known. Basically, it was an observatory and watchtower for the protection of the monastery.
The tower is depicted in good condition in a drawing by the Russian traveler Vassily Brasky (1744).
Its dimensions are 7.2mx6.8m.
| First entry in Kastrologos: | May 2015 |
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| Access |
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| Approach to the monument: |
| The tower is on the paved road from Dafne to Karyes, in walking distance from Dafne (700m) and from Xiropotamou monastery. |
| Entrance: |
| Free access to the perimeter |