Da Molin Tower: A Venetian Echo in Alikianos

In the verdant landscape of Alikianos, just 12km southwest of Chania, the skeletal remains of the Da Molin Tower offer a glimpse into Crete's Venetian past. Constructed in 1229 by Marco Da Molin, the tower was once part of a grand three-building complex, serving as the seat of the local lords during the Venetian era. The tower, originally known as 'Vigla,' featured jagged ramparts and bore inscriptions reflecting the times.Over the centuries, the tower has been a silent observer of pivotal events, most notably the tragic 'Cretan Wedding' of 1527. This grim event saw a massacre unfold within its walls, forever associating the tower with the betrayal and bloodshed of the Kantanoleos revolt. According to the legend, the tower is haunted due to a gruesome crime that took place during the wedding of the Da Molin's daughter to the son of the revolutionary Georgios Kantanoleon. Today, only a portion of the southwest corner remains, a haunting reminder of the tower's storied past. Visitors can explore the ruins, imagining life within its walls and reflecting on the events that shaped its destiny. The tower is located near the church of Agios Georgios.