FrankishTowerofLiada

On this low hill at the southern edge of Markopoulo stands the tower of Liada. It is also known as the tower of Dagla, after the old name of the area. The tower was probably built in the thirteenth century, when Attica belonged to the Frankish Duchy of Athens, ruled by the de la Roche family from Burgundy. Look closely at the walls. The builders reused carved blocks from ancient buildings, even at the corners.

The tower once had three floors. Two survive, about eight and a half metres high, because villagers later took its stones to build their houses. The door is on the south side, about one and a half metres above the ground. Scholars see towers like this as fortified homes of Frankish lords in farming country. Right beside it stands the Byzantine church of the Taxiarches, with thirteenth-century paintings in its dome and apse. Please enjoy it from outside. The upper floors are not safe.