Kastrologos

Castles of Greece
 

Visaltia, Serres,Central Macedonia

Tower of Chandakas

  
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Location:
At the west bank of Strymon river across Amfipolis, North Greece
Region > Prefecture: Greek Map
Central Macedonia
Serres
Municipality > Town:
City of Visaltia
• 
Altitude:
Elevation ≈ 15 m 
Time of Construction   Origin
14th century or earlier  
BYZANTINE
H 
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




Road map to Tower of Chandakas

Access
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.


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Castle of Gazoros
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Paliokastro of Kariani
Tower of Marmari
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Castle of Orfanio
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Castle of Rentina
Castle of Rodolivos
Castle of Stavros
Vrasna Tower
Fortification of Agios Georgios rock
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