Tsikaliotis Tower

The Building

At first glance, the defensive nature of the building is evident. The high walls, the wooden doors reinforced with nails, the barred windows and the turret with its numerous rifle slots show that the tower was built as a defensive residence in a “Γ” (gamma) shape. This layout was intended to protect the owner’s family. Additionally, the construction and fortifications justify its classification as a tower, while the luxury and grandeur place it in the category of mansions. It has been described as one of the most beautiful buildings from the Ottoman period in the Peloponnese, preserving the authentic architectural style of medieval Mystras. According to a study by medieval architecture professor Ms. Kitsiki-Panagopoulou, it is categorized among the houses of the bourgeoisie in the Balkans during the 18th and 19th centuries.

External Structure

– Walls/Perimeter Wall: The tower is surrounded by walls 3.5 meters high, equipped with rifle slots for defensive protection.

– Doors: It has three wooden doors, reinforced with nails for added security. Internally, they were protected by bars and crossbars, making entry difficult for attackers.

– Stairs: The tower is two-storied, a characteristic of Tsakonian architecture. Its stairs were asymmetrical, hindering access to enemies. The turret’s rifle slots had a clear view of the stairs, making defense even more effective.

– Balcony: Between the stairs, there is a flat area, the balcony, which protects the southern and western sides of the tower.

– Xoustangi: Upon reaching the upper floor, the entrance is protected by a small canopy, known as “xoustangi” in the Tsakonian dialect.

– Courtyard: The tower’s courtyard includes an oven, a storage, a cellar and a cistern, showing the self-sufficiency of the residence.

– Arches: The tower has a total of four arches, with the largest on the northern side supporting the others, which have an eastern orientation.

– Turret: Located at the southeastern corner of the tower, the turret stands 4 meters tall with 36 rifle slots. It had a supervisory role, overseeing the entrance to Leonidio, and served as an equipment space. It consisted of two levels with wooden floors, and its roof was made from Khorasan mortar, allowing ventilation from the smoke of the rifles.

Interior Layout

Upon entering the tower, the living room is on the left and the kitchen is on the right. Between the rooms there is a wooden closet, separating the spaces. In the living room, only men could sit, while across the way, the women’s quarters were located behind a lattice and a sheer curtain. From there, women would observe the men’s discussions, which often revolved around marriage arrangements.

Living Room Decoration

The tower’s luxury and the owner’s prosperous financial state are evident in the meticulous decoration. The floors were either wooden or marble, with white and black marble adorning specific areas. The windows, symmetrically designed and decorated, were fitted with bars for security. The window designs varied, drawing inspiration from the owner’s travels.
The carved wooden ceilings were a centerpiece and were adorned with symbols related to the local tradition and the owner’s personality. Vines, a symbol of the god Dionysus, the shield, referring to the goddess Athena, nautical elements, and the phoenix, symbolizing rebirth, were among the motifs that decorated the space.

The Crypt

The most important room in the tower was the crypt. A narrow corridor with stairs led to this space, with the final steps being asymmetrical, making it difficult for enemies to enter. Even if someone managed to enter, the low height of the door forced them to bend, allowing the defender to take them by surprise with a sword.
If the invader reached the room, they might not find anyone, as there was a cupboard in the wall that revealed the crypt when it was removed. This hidden space served as a refuge for women and children, providing protection from intruders.

Influences

The multifaceted personality of Tsikaliotis is reflected in the decoration of his tower. As a merchant and seaman, symbols of the sea played an important role in the décor. At the same time, his deep religious faith and superstitions were expressed through the placement of crosses above every entrance of the tower, for protection against evil and superstitions. The architectural influences from his travels are also evident, as the building incorporates elements from Eastern, Byzantine, and Tsakonian architecture.

Tsakonian Architecture

Tsakonian architecture has intrigued many scholars due to its uniqueness. Primarily characterized by two- and three-story mansions-towers, it demonstrates the owners’ economic prosperity. According to Kourbeli: “These houses have courtyards paved with stone slabs, high perimeter walls, cisterns, stone staircases, roofed balconies with tiles, carved and painted ceilings and distinctive chimneys.” All houses have tiled roofs, and their construction follows the continuous building system, either with large or small courtyards.

Development of Tsakonian Residences

In the early forms of Tsakonian residences, people and animals lived in the same space, separated by a low bench. Over time, this changed, and residences were divided into two levels: the upper floor for humans and the lower level for animals and storage, reflecting a higher standard of living. As architecture evolved, animals were moved out of the home, and the hut became a space exclusively for humans.

Tsikaliotis Tower and the surrounding architecture of Leonidio reflect the evolution of building types from simple rural structures to more complex and impressive mansions. The four identified types of buildings—Type A, B, C, and D—not only demonstrate local needs and ways of life but also the influence of commercial interactions with the wider world.

Type A

Type A appeared around 1700 and represents the development of a simple hut into a two-story building. According to Kattis, Chrysoula and Tziora, its floor plan is strictly rectangular. The ground floor, often vaulted, is primarily used as a storage space and occasionally as a stable. A key feature of Type A is the arch on the facade, which supports the balcony and leads to the ground floor. Access to the upper floor is provided by an external built staircase leading to the “hayati” (or “xoustangi”), a balcony area supported by the arch. Inside, there is often a low wall separating humans from animals.

Type B

Type B appeared during the same period and shares the basic characteristics of Type A, but includes an additional room on the ground floor and has a more developed structure. The balcony is supported by an arch, while the entrance is located on the southern side, facing the sun for better heating. The upper floor has more rooms, and the balcony is covered with a hipped roof.

Type C

Type C, which is characteristic of the architecture of the Tsikaliotis Tower, represents a more advanced architectural style with the addition of a third floor. This type is often associated with the financial prosperity of the owners. These buildings had defensive features, such as loopholes and machicolations, used for against hostile invasions. Additionally, architectural elements from Constantinople, Epirus and the islands, as well as influences from contacts abroad, were evident.

Type D and Commercial Influences

Type D, which appeared mainly between 1830 and 1870, is the result of blending local architecture with imported elements from the travels of the Tsakonians. Through their commercial activities in Constantinople, Romania, Bulgaria and other countries, the Tsakonians incorporated new architectural elements into their ancestral homes. These houses were usually three-story buildings, with influences from neoclassicism and other contemporary styles, and sometimes the owners hired architects from abroad for their construction.

The urban organization of the area was diverse, with fortified residences and houses with large courtyards and high walls. In Prastos, for instance, there was a coexistence of the tower houses of wealthy merchants and simpler homes of farmers and shepherds.

Current Use of Tsikaliotis Tower

Tsikaliotis Tower, originally built by K. Tsikaliotis, went through a series of ownership changes before being purchased by the Municipality of Leonidio in 1960, under the initiative of Mayor Stylianos Merikakis. A significant milestone was its inclusion in the “Cultural Action” program in 1990, where it was awarded as one of the 26 best proposals for preserving architectural heritage out of a total of 1,138 submitted studies.

Today, the tower functions as a tourist attraction and is a major point of interest for the visitors to Leonidio. It offers guided tours and hosts cultural exhibitions, thus contributing to the promotion of local history and architectural heritage.