The Byzantine Tower
The imposing landmark of Ouranoupoli is the fortified Byzantine tower which nests on the rocks on the sea-front by the jetty. The tower was built during the 14th century A.D., certainly before 1344. It was the principal building of the metohi (farm) of Prosforion which belonged to the important monastery of Vatopedi. In May 1379 the ruler of Thessaloniki, Ioannis Palaeologos stayed in the tower and issued various concessions in favor of Mount Athos. He removed the obligation for the metohi (farm) around the tower to pay any tax and the original document is still kept at the monastery of Vatopedi. The farm prospered and expanded, taking over all the land in the area, including that of the monastery of Zygou which had declined by then. The tower was used as the living quarters of the monk managers of the metohi (farm) until 1922. It was set on fire in 1821 but was repaired some time after 1865 when a few other buildings around it were added. Those were an olive press with a water well, an oven, stables, an iron monger's workshop and two large houses where the civilian workers lived. Today only the tower, the iron monger's workshop and the worker's houses survive. You can see archaeological pieces from Toroni, Nikiti and Ierissos. For example Corintian helmes from the 6th Century have recovered from a ship wreck in 110 m depth the Skite Agia Anna. Sightseeing can be ceramics, jewelry, Coins, bronze rings from 10th - 12th centuries. To the upper floors of the tower there is a small chapel with icons and much more...