Tower of Sarakini

When Samos was resettled in the 16th century, Nikolaos Sarakinis was granted the land around the Heraion and in 1577 built this stone tower-house against pirate raids. It rises 12 m over three floors and a basement, with battlements on the roof and two gun-loops; the second-floor windows carry a carved Maltese cross. Beside it stands the twin church of St John and St George of 1602, built by craftsmen from Patmos. By a will of 1581 the whole complex passed to the Monastery of St John on Patmos, which owns it to this day.