Watchtowers of Chios

Chios’s viglas are medieval cylindrical towers built on coasts and headlands to watch the sea and give early warning of enemy raids. Placed at short distances and in line of sight with each other, they formed a complete defensive network, denser on the south and west coasts most vulnerable to landings. They were erected by the Genoese in the 14th century, likely building on earlier observation networks, and operated until the mid-18th century, when piracy declined. In all, 30 viglas have been identified on the island, 24 of which are listed monuments. Notable examples are the Vigla of Pachi on the beach of Sidirounta, the Vigla of Mesta, and the Vigla at Trachili near the village of Lithi. A typical Chian vigla has a cylindrical shaft about 12 m high, an interior room for the watchman, battlements on the roof, and machicolations over and around the doorway, along with other defensive mechanisms.