 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
Welcome to Rubeas Tower
– where history comes alive
Nestled on the hill of Lefktro, in the enchanting region of Mani, the Cisterna Rubea Tower, as it is distinctively named, stands as a sentinel of memory through the centuries. The area, with its rugged natural beauty and unpretentious grandeur, has long been a strategic location – a place where the stones “speak,” and every path tells its own story.
The history of the tower begins around 1250, when Prince William Villehardouin of Morea constructed fortresses in Mani to bolster the region’s defenses. Among them, the “Red Cistern” – as the name Cisterna Rubea translates – stood out for its commanding position and strength. The name may derive from the reddish hue of the cistern or the porphyry stone that adorned the castle, though a connection to the renowned fortress of the Knights of the Holy Lands, Maldoim Castle, cannot be ruled out. The toponym Rubeas, over the passage of time, evolved into an anthroponym, lending its name to a historic family. Around 1860, the descendants of the Rubeas family, inspired by the iconic Cisterna Rubea tower, constructed the impressive Rubeas towers in the region of Pyrgos, Mani. These structures stand as enduring testaments to the family’s legacy and the architectural heritage of the area.
The surname Rubeas is not merely an echo of the past. It is tied to families who left an indelible mark on the region, both in Mani and Messinia. Within the stone walls and courtyards of this tower, individuals who shaped its legacy once lived. Ioannis Rubeas, a merchant and member of the Filiki Etairia, born in 1791, was a prominent figure in political life. He represented Mani at the National Assembly of Argos and later at the Assembly of 1843, while also serving actively in local governance. Among his nine descendants, Dimitrios Rubeas, a fighter and mayor of Lefktro, and his son Ioannis, a lawyer and mayor who resided in the tower until 1950, stand out. One of Ioannis’s sons, Charalambos Rubeas, a lawyer, settled in Athens, upholding the family’s tradition while maintaining ties to his ancestral homeland. Meanwhile, another Charalambos Rubeas, a physician, established himself in Kalamata, where he distinguished himself as a merchant and benefactor, contributing to social institutions and charitable causes. The tower’s history is inextricably linked to these figures and the enduring presence of a family that profoundly influenced the political, social, and intellectual life of the region
By staying at this tower, you do not merely enjoy its views and stonework – you become part of a rich and storied history that spans from the knights of the Holy Lands to centuries of vibrant life in the heart of Mani.