Hanialis Tower in Magoulas

The tower of Magoulas , in Lassithi plateau , was the summer konak (house) - tower of Chanialis , who stayed there during summers. Chanialis was a Turk janissary who oppressed a great region of East Crete.

He was the founder of the family of Chanialis and was an Islamized Christian from Chania ( Chania -> Chanialis ). His real name was Zade Ahmet Aga .

He was the richest melikianaga (feudal lord) of the Ottoman Empire, as he had seized vast land areas from the poor Christians of Eastern Crete. His property extended from the small plain of Pediada to the valley of Mirabello , from the Ierapetra planes to the lowland coastal parts of Malia and Hersonissos and from Lassithi Plateau to the valley of Sarantapichos river and Myrtos area (in Myrtos, Chanialis had his winter house).

Around 1815, the priest of Magoulas , Nikolaos Alexis , tried with protests and other actions along with other Lassithi residents to bring Chanialis to justice, until the Ottoman authorities discovered the damage he was causing to the public along with other Turkish landowners. Thus, he was taken to the Pasha of Heraklion and strangled for punishment.

Today nothing remains of the tower, except an Ottoman fountain that is considered to be a part of the house of Chanialis.