Matala tower (koule)

Koules of Matala is located on the hill Kastri above the famous beach of Matala . The access is very easy, as its very close to the path that heads to the Red Beach .

This small tower was built by the Ottomans after the period of the great Cretan Revolutions of 1866 , when more than 100 defensive towers ( koules ) were built throughout Crete. The purpose was to control the beach of Matala , which he oversees.

The tower survives in ruins, however the bases of the walls and its floor plan are still visible. It is possible that before the Ottoman tower there was an older fortress, as nearby there are ruins of a beacon ( fryktoria ), a place where they lit a fire to transmit signals.