Michael's son, Kapetanios Mourtzinos Troupakis, became head of the clan and gave his name to the "Mourtzinos War Tower" which still stands in the complex. Above the door of the War Tower is the date 1808 which is when it was rebuilt following its destruction during a three month siege by a rival family, not named in my reference but in his memoirs Kolokotronis stated that Mourtzinos was banished by Antonbey. This occurred in 1805 (?) and resulted in Mourtzinos being exiled to Zakynthos for three years until given amnesty by the Turks and allowed to return to Kardamyli. Here he restored the complex and reclaimed leadership as  Kapetanios. In 1813, a visiting Englishman, J.R. Cockerell gave this description of Mourtzinos and the complex.
"His castle consists of a courtyard and a church surrounded by various towers. There is a stone bench at his door where he sits surrounded by his vassals and his relations who all stand unless invited to sit. The village people bring him presents, tributes as it were, of fruit, flowers etc. On a lofty rock close by is a watch-tower where watch is kept night and day. The whole gave us the picture of feudal life new and hardly credible to a nineteenth century Englishman."
The watch tower referred to is "Petreas's" Tower which stands on a rocky hilltop south of the complex and gives an all round view of the approaches to Kardamyli, including the sea. The seaward aspect is further improved by a small watchtower above the harbour. Another reference also gives an insight into the position and power of the Kapetanios:
"He rang a large bell every midday before the meal and every evening before supper, thus publicly inviting those who were in need or those willing, to dine; and not a day passed that at least fifty to one hundred people, strangers to the family, were fed by him."

In 1821, on the eve of the Greek War of Independence, Theodoros Kolokotronis established his headquarters at Kardamyli and here was joined by Petrobey Mavromichalis when he brought his Maniat army north from Tsimova (now Areopolis). According to local legend, they played chess in the courtyard next to the church of Agios Spiridon, using soldiers as the chess pieces on a board marked out in chalk. Kolokotronis doesn't mention this in his memoirs (maybe he lost!) and his relationship with Mavromichalis seems to have been very 'guarded' as he says, "He (Mavromichalis) behaved himself tolerably well towards me and it is not true that he betrayed me to the Turks, for he had not the power to do so even if he had the will, for besides my friendship with Mourtzinos, it is a custom in Mani to help everyone who goes there for a place of refuge." He also says, "I went to Mourtzinos as to a friend and of the same district. Mavromichalis had the title of Bey but Mourtzinos had the power in Mani." This statement is not accurate. Mourtzinos may well have held power in Exo Mani but Petrobey was the most powerful man in Mesa Mani.

       From Kardamyli they marched on Kalamata and there defeated the Turkish Garrison in the first victory of the war which finally liberated Greece. To quote Kolokotronis again, "On the 23rd March we fell upon the Turks at Kalamata. They were led by Arnoutogles, a man of some importance in Tripolitsa (Tripoli). We had two thousand Maniats, with Mourtzinos and Petrobey."  Mourtzinos's only son, Dionysios, also distinguished himself as a great fighter in this war and in 1830 became War Minister in the newly formed Greek Government.

        As you can see, I live in a beautiful and historic part of The Mani, but there is a great deal more to this region - equally beautiful and with its own unique History. The environment forged its own Culture and Traditions - based on 'survival of the fittest' - so if you want to learn more about The Mani then use the Navigation Bars to read Mani History and then Mani Culture.