Koules of Agios Ioannis

The Ottomans, in order to control the coastline of the mountainous province Sfakia in south Crete built a network of defensive towers called koules , which had direct visual communication between them. One of them is located east of the forested village Agios Ioannis ( Saint John ) at a point with unique views from the Messara plain to Paleochora .

The Koules of Agios Ioannis still stands deserted, while the visitor still sees the cisterns for storing water. The place can be accessed via a trail crossing the beautiful landscape with cypress trees and the views of the South Cretan Sea.