Pyrgos Vasilissis (Queens Tower): This fairytale-looking castle is a wonderful example of Greek neo-Gothic architecture.

A few kilometers from the center of Athens, in Ilion, there is a green area of 250 hectares, invisible from the main road, with an imposing Gothic tower, ramparts and arched windows that create a setting reminiscent of a fairytale.

It is the Vassilisis (Queen's) Tower, an unknown monument of Greece's newest cultural heritage.

This property was originally a Turkish estate and after the liberation, it was transferred to the Greeks and then to English men John Williams and George Miles, who built a farm with vineyards and fruit trees.

In 1848 it was bought by Queen Amalia who was known for her love of creating beautiful places in Athens, such as the Palace Garden in Syntagma Square.

Amalia wanted to create a modern center for agriculture and cattle breeding in Ilion and hired special farmers from Megara and brought many domestic animals such as horses, cows, chickens, sheep, but also plants, cypresses, palms, olive trees and more.

There are 6 natural hills around the property and Amalia built another one. She gave the 7 hills names of Argonauts and the property was called Eptalofos, as it is the second name of Constantinople.

The inauguration of the tower took place in August 1854 on the birthday of Otto's father, who was her father-in-law and wanted to honor him because she loved him much.

Most of the property is now owned by the Greek State, with the exception of 250 acres belonging to the Serpieris family, including the tower.

The estate cultivates excellent grape varieties and produces about 17,000 bottles of "Eptalofos", "Ilion" and "Malagouzia" wines, which are sold only on the estate. Aromatic plants and herbs are also grown and sold in the farm shop. There are also horses, hens and beehives and a stable where the horse owners can leave them in an ideal environment and train them if they want to take part in races.

A guided tour of this beautiful estate, with its well-tended gardens and fountains, ends with a delicious wine tasting with smoked cheese and green pies.