Malta – Maniot Towers and History

Malta is a Maniot tower village whose history can be traced through named buildings and the origins of its settlers. The Mavrikos Tower and the historic tower of the Koutifari-Aloupides family provide two specific points of reference for the local tower tradition. The village’s history also includes the Maniots who returned from Corsica and Italy and settled in Malta. If you are interested in architectural history and the historic journeys of a community, these themes come together in Malta.

Towers with different historical points of reference

The Mavrikos Tower is a fortified tower house built by Mavrikos in 1814. Mavrikos was the village headman. Its architectural form, date, and builder are therefore part of a specific story: the year places the tower in a particular historical moment, while the builder’s role connects it to the history of the village. Another point of reference is the historic tower of the Koutifari-Aloupides family. The family name associated with this second tower emphasizes something different from the specific building history of the Mavrikos Tower. Malta’s identity as a Maniot tower village can thus be explored through two named towers without reducing both buildings to the same story.

Return and settlement

The history of settlement adds a human perspective to the buildings. Maniots who returned from Corsica and Italy settled Malta. Both regions are therefore directly connected to the village’s history. This offers you a different way to explore the village than its tower architecture: the focus here is not on architectural form and year of construction, but on the origins and return of the people who settled in Malta. The connection between the village’s history and this movement of return gives the place’s Maniot character a historical context that extends beyond its towers.

A monastery nearby

The Androumpevitsa convent is located near the village. It is a Byzantine building with Maniot architectural elements. As a convent, Androumpevitsa also represents a different type of building from the towers. It adds another architectural point of reference alongside the history of the towers. While the Mavrikos Tower is a fortified tower house, Androumpevitsa combines Byzantine construction with Maniot elements. This contrast helps distinguish the different historical themes: in Malta, the focus is on the named towers and the Maniots’ settlement history; at the monastery, the Byzantine construction and Maniot architectural elements shape the view. Its proximity to the village makes Androumpevitsa an additional point of reference for exploring Malta’s cultural history.

Choosing the right place for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Malta, your preferred type of trip can be a useful first criterion. Would you like to focus mainly on comparing historic architecture or learning about the history of the Maniots? Malta offers specific points of interest for both, and the nearby monastery extends the view beyond the history of the towers. This can help you decide whether one of these cultural themes fits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Agios Nikolaos, Lagkouvardos, Filiatra, Platsa, Logga, Kalo Nero, Rigklia.

Go to the main travel guide: Messinia.