The fortress of Aptera was built by the Ottomans after the Revolution of 1866, as part of a program to connect Crete with a network of fortifications, towers and fortresses. It was located at the Paleokastro site, in the ruins of Ancient Aptera, near the village of Kalami, and communicated with the fortresses of Souda, Izedin and the Kouledes of Kalivo and Niou Chorio.
It was the largest P-shaped fortress complex of its time and was equipped with two towers facing the west (it controlled the passage to Kerameia) and the east (towards Kalyves). It included a variety of areas including barracks, officers’ quarters, storage, imprisonment, food preparation and catering.
