Ruined traditional tower house, Mani, Peloponnese, Greece. The prime feature of the strong, patriarchal Maniot groups was the tower that was used to control the area, defend their lives and property and support the expansive aspirations of the powerful landowners. The towers of Mani sometimes reached 20 m in height and might comprise of 3-5 floors. The use of local stone made the towers almost invisible from a distance, protecting them mainly from pirates. The construction of these towers intensified between 1770-1830, while in the South it continued until 1880. To defend or expand their property, Maniot landowners often erected the famous "xemonia"; buildings that were built on crossroads and other key locations in order to control the area around them and repel hostile attacks, in times of conflict. In times of peace and prosperity they were used as residential places and courtyards.