A tower-house of legend and literary heritage
Rising impressively atop a rock among the low houses of the village of Gouves stands the famed Drosinis Tower. Although today it is closely associated with the great Greek writer Georgios Drosinis, its past appears to be far more shadowed.
The tower was built in 1810 on the orders of Ibrahim Agha by his enslaved servant Ahmed, who was granted his freedom upon completing the construction. Yet, it is said that the agha committed numerous crimes within its walls. Villagers still speak of bloodstains on the walls and of lingering spirits.
Far from the tales of blood and mystery, the tower is one of the most beautiful on Evia. In 1821, it was sold to Alexandros Thesyllas and Vaptistis Drosos, and later, in 1831, to Konstantinos Petrokokkinos, grandfather of Georgios Drosinis, marking the beginning of a brighter chapter in its history.
From 1876 onwards, the great writer and poet spent many of his summers in this tower-house. It is said that he composed several of his poems here, while life in Gouves inspired some of his works. Ownership later passed from the family to Father Stavros Papaioannou, before finally becoming the property of the local community and today’s Municipality of Istiaia–Edipsos.
Two-storey and built in Venetian style, with two additional cylindrical turrets, Drosinis Tower today houses the village’s folklore collection. Inside, you’ll find agricultural tools, furniture, handwoven textiles and even a few personal items of Georgios Drosinis, all of which capture the imagination, complemented by the stunning view of the sea.
The tower was built in 1810 on the orders of Ibrahim Agha by his enslaved servant Ahmed, who was granted his freedom upon completing the construction. Yet, it is said that the agha committed numerous crimes within its walls. Villagers still speak of bloodstains on the walls and of lingering spirits.
Far from the tales of blood and mystery, the tower is one of the most beautiful on Evia. In 1821, it was sold to Alexandros Thesyllas and Vaptistis Drosos, and later, in 1831, to Konstantinos Petrokokkinos, grandfather of Georgios Drosinis, marking the beginning of a brighter chapter in its history.
From 1876 onwards, the great writer and poet spent many of his summers in this tower-house. It is said that he composed several of his poems here, while life in Gouves inspired some of his works. Ownership later passed from the family to Father Stavros Papaioannou, before finally becoming the property of the local community and today’s Municipality of Istiaia–Edipsos.
Two-storey and built in Venetian style, with two additional cylindrical turrets, Drosinis Tower today houses the village’s folklore collection. Inside, you’ll find agricultural tools, furniture, handwoven textiles and even a few personal items of Georgios Drosinis, all of which capture the imagination, complemented by the stunning view of the sea.
