Section of the foundations of a Byzantine tower above the port of Nea Kallikrateia, Chalkidiki, next to the road.

History

During the Late Byzantine period, the area was a metochi (dependency) of the Monastery of Xenophon of Mount Athos. In a document of the monastery from 1338 regarding the metochi, an “old tower standing on the cliff“ is mentioned, among other things.
Without a doubt, this is the tower of this page, which in the mid-14th century was already considered old. It is possible that it was a construction of the 13th century or even older. We do not know.
Due to the location, it may have been a vigla that may have existed there since the Middle Byzantine period and passed into the monastery much later.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The tower was almost square with dimensions of approximately 5✖5m. It is preserved at the level of the foundations. One corner of it has been coverd by the road.
A platform has recently been placed to support the tower, which is at risk of landslides as the ground is loose. An older photo (photo 6) shows the tower without the platform, but with more ground around it (so the platform was correctly placed there).

Sources