Where did it stand? The Frankish Tower once loomed over the Acropolis. It stood tall beside the Propylaia.
Let’s journey back in time. We will explore the story of this controversial structure. The Frankish Tower offers a glimpse into Athens’ medieval past. It also sparks debate about cultural heritage.
The Frankish Tower’s origins are shrouded in mystery. Most historians believe it was built during the Frankokratia. This was when Frankish rulers held Athens between 1205 and 1458. The Acciaioli family, who were Florentine, probably ordered it. They converted the Propylaia into a palace. But some suggest the de la Roche family may have built it earlier.
The Frankish Tower served many purposes. It acted as a watchtower. It also was a beacon. Sometimes it served as a salt store and a prison. During the Greek War of Independence, its height was increased. It then became an observation post. The revolutionary Odysseas Androutsos was imprisoned and killed here in 1825.
The Frankish Tower was a rectangular structure. It measured 28.5 feet long and 25.5 feet wide. Its walls were 5.75 feet thick at the base. Rising to 85 feet, it offered panoramic views. From here one could see the central plain of Attica. They also could see the surrounding mountains. A small turret on the north side may have served as a beacon. During Ottoman rule, cannons signaled alarms from this turret.
The tower’s presence on the Acropolis was contentious. After Greek independence in 1834, King Otto aimed to restore the Acropolis. He wanted to remove post-classical elements. Some valued the Frankish Tower for its aesthetic appeal. They also thought that it symbolized the connection between Western Europe and classical Greece.
However, many Greeks viewed it as a foreign imposition. Archaeologists like Kyriakos Pittakis wanted it gone. They believed that it used valuable spolia from ancient buildings. The demolition of the Frankish Tower became a symbol of national identity.
In 1875, Heinrich Schliemann funded the tower’s demolition. This act was met with widespread criticism outside Greece. People saw it as destroying a part of Athens’ history. The French poet Théophile Gautier lamented the loss. The British historian Edward Augustus Freeman condemned the demolition. William Miller called it an act of vandalism.
Despite the criticism, some Greeks defended the demolition. They viewed it as restoring the Acropolis’ Greek character. They wanted it free from foreign elements. The removal of the Frankish Tower marked the last such removal on the Acropolis.
Today, only fragments remain of the Frankish Tower. Yet it still sparks conversation. It reminds us of the complexities of preserving history. The Frankish Tower serves as a reminder of Athens’ diverse past. It also highlights the ongoing debates about cultural heritage.