Watchtowers of Chios
The watchtowers of Chios , Vigles tis Chiou ( Greek Βίγλες της Χίου ) or rare Fryktories tis Chiou (Φρυκτωρίες της Χίου sg. Φρυκτωρία, lighting 'or' Signal Tower '), were from the 11th century on, but mainly during the Genoese occupation (1346 –1566), built on the coast of the Greek island of Chios . Some of them were integrated into the island's defense system until the 19th century. The more common name Vigla is of Italian origin.
Of the formerly more than 50 towers, around 30 have been preserved, mainly on the west and south coast. The towers of Pachi, Livadi Mesta, Trachili and Elinda are almost intact. In 1995 the Greek Ministry of Culture declared 24 towers to be historical monuments and designated a radius of 500 m as a protection zone.
history
After the island was under the control of Genoa from 1304 to 1329 through a usufruct treaty between the Byzantine emperor Andronikos II and the Zaccharia family, the second colonial period from 1346 to 1566 brought long-term changes in the local infrastructure. In order to ensure the security of the mastic monopoly and to protect the island against the constant pirate attacks and the growing expansion of the Ottoman Empire , an observation and notification network was set up. The fortress of Chios was expanded and strengthened, watchtowers were built along the coast, and existing towers were integrated into the network. In the south of the island in the mastic growing region in particular, previous settlement structures were changed, formerly scattered settlements were abandoned and defensive villages were founded. Some existing larger places were reinforced.
Construction
The round towers have a slightly conical base to increase stability. The masonry consists of the locally occurring stone and brick quarry. The height varies between 12 and 20 m, the diameter from 7.5 to 15 m. A crenellated wreath formed the upper end of the defensive wall . The interior was filled with rubble and stones up to two thirds of the height. On top was the flat vaulted room for the usually two-man, lightly armed tower crew. An opening in the ceiling enabled communication between the room and the battlement. The tower access was always on the side facing away from the sea. The guards climbed the tower with a ladder or a rope ladder. The room had small, trapezoidal windows and in some cases had additional loopholes . For defense purposes, hot liquids could be poured into outward gutters.
function
The neighboring towers were visible from each tower. This made the network so dense that the entire coast of the island could be monitored. As early as 1656, the explorer Jean de Thévenot mentioned that there was contact with the fortresses or villages inland. For example, the Apolichnon fortress at Armolia was in contact with the towers at Kimi and Emborios . The communication took place at night with fire signals and during the day with smoke signals, reported George Sandy in 1610. In this way, the whole island could be notified within two hours. For this it was necessary to equip each tower with a sufficient supply of wood.
See also
Web links
- Watchtowers of Chios , Greek
- Watchtowers of Chios , German
- Watchtowers of Chios , Greek