Tower of Ouzoun Mehmet Oglou

An Ottoman tower-house from around the 18th century, this building stands in the Chalepa district of Chania, Crete, and once belonged to the Turkish Aga Zouni, or Ouzouni. For its era it must have been an imposing residence, more mansion than fortification. It was enclosed by an outer wall, topped with crenellations, and had a murder-hole above the gate. At the four corners of the terrace were Venetian-style guard posts, or guardiolas, of which two survive. These defensive touches were likely added for decoration, perhaps imitating older Venetian villas on the island, yet the tower did serve a real military purpose: during the Greek uprising of 1897 it proved a secure stronghold for Turkish defenders against the rebels. The building survived until the Second World War, when German bombardment caused severe damage. Its remains are now incorporated into modern private houses and are not normally accessible to visitors.