Tower of Markellos

Aegina, Greece, Greece

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The Tower of Markellos is a historic Venetian-era watchtower in the town of Aegina, built in the late 17th century as part of the island’s harbor defenses. It was renovated in 1802 by the Greek revolutionary Spyridon Markellos, from whom it takes its name, and became one of the island’s most important buildings. The tower played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence and the early years of the modern Greek state. It hosted political leaders, freedom fighters, and government officials, and when Aegina briefly served as the first capital of independent Greece, the building functioned as a government center and housed state offices and the treasury. Today, the distinctive pink-colored tower is one of Aegina’s most recognizable landmarks. It serves as a cultural venue hosting exhibitions and events, preserving the memory of the island’s important contribution to Greek history.