The Mirabello province took its name after the homonym fort, located in the current site of Agios Nikolaos. There were more fortresses around, with the most important being that of Spinalonga, which protected the salt mines of Elounda, and some small castles in Kritsa, in Oxa mountain and, perhaps, in Kastelli of Fourni.
Fodele area was a very important passage during the Venetian and Turkish Era, which made the occupiers build towers and forts at almost every peak. The Turks wanted to fully control the passage of Fodele and simultaneously monitor the bay (the current beach of Fodele), where the Greek ships often beached for supporting the rebels.
At the north coast of Heraklion, between the beaches of Agia Pelagia and Fodele rises the steep low range of Bobias (max altitude is 423 meters). This area actually belongs to the small range of Kouloukonas. Despite its low altitude, it is a really wild place with slopes in the west and north side that raises sharply above sea.
A Venetian Tower was built at Stamni village, with two floors and embrasures on the second floor. It is in very good condition and is used as a residence.
At Kenourgio Village of Pediada Province there have survived the ruins of a tower that belonged to the family of Markantonio Foscolo. The tower was known by the will of the Cretan comedian poet of "Fortunato".
Above Episkopi, province Ierapetra, we meet one Ottoman Tower (Koules), one of the many built in 1868 by the ottoman Avni Pasha. The defensive tower was built there to control the passage of the isthmus of Ierapetra.
One tower was built in Varsamakia, west of Kissamos and close to Sfinari, on the possible site of the unknown village Monoplatanos. The tower was then famous and is located next to the Chapel of Agios Dimitrios.
A bit south of Hondros viilage, Viannos district, there is Pirgos peak. Despite the fact that it is not too high, it offers panoramic views to the bay of Keratokambos and the villages of West Viannos. At this hill that is naturally fortified, there is an ancient settlement as there are meny traces of pottery and building bases around.