The Venetian fortress of Sitia, which is called the “Casa di Arma” Kazarma, was built in the 13th century on the site of the Byzantine city.

The Kazarma was the barracks of the guard or the command post, i.e. one of the buildings of the Medieval City which was surrounded by a wall.

The fortification of the city and the Kazarma date back to the last Byzantine years.

However, the pirate raids, the frequent revolts of the inhabitants during the Venetian occupation and even the earthquakes caused successive damages to the walls and the Barracks, until the Venetians themselves were forced to destroy them in order to repair them. This ultimately did not happen and in 1651 the city was demolished and then conquered by the Turks.

In the period of the Turkish conquest, it seems that the walls were not rebuilt, but the Kazarma were restored and today the Turkish additions can be seen, such as the buttonholes on the ramparts, i.e. the watchtowers of the fortress.

Today theKazarma has been carefully restored and is open to the public offering a panoramic view of the bay and the town of Sitia.

During the summer season, cultural events (Kornaria) take place in its specially designed area, such as theater performances, concerts, lectures, visual arts exhibitions, etc.