Fortification Architecture in Argolis, Greece: Documentation, Analysis and Restoration Proposal of the Princess Tower

This paper presents the typology of a freestanding Late/Post-Byzantine tower in the Peloponnese, a rare architectural type, as most comparable examples in the region have been lost due to abandonment, climatic degradation, and the absence of systematic conservation efforts. The architectural analysis and construction history of the Princess Tower (Πύργος Βασιλοπούλας) are examined phase by phase, while the current condition of the monument is documented through pathology assessment and diagnostic analysis. The study concludes with a comprehensive proposal outlining the necessary measures for the consolidation and restoration of the tower, aiming to render it accessible and comprehensible to visitors and researchers alike, not merely as a museum object but as a living monument. For the first time, a complete set of architectural drawings of the tower has been produced, providing essential documentation, particularly in view of the monument’s deteriorating condition and the imminent loss of significant architectural elements. This documentation also serves as a basis for formulating an appropriate restoration strategy. Through the presented case study, knowledge of fortification structures is expanded, the vulnerability of such monuments is recorded and analyzed, and mitigation measures are discussed. The survey constitutes the critical step toward the development of a restoration project, aimed at safeguarding a distinctive yet fragile monument—an important example of fortification architecture in the region and an integral component of its cultural heritage, which encompasses sites dating from prehistoric times to the modern era.