The tower of Jen Ali stands in the deserted settlement of Voila which is located less than a km away from Handras, Sitia. It is a robust two-story construction that served as a tower house. On the ground level, there are two adjoining arched rooms and a stone staircase from which only the lower part survives. The upper floor consists of another pair of rooms and has indications of a Cretan “Oda” in its southwestern part. The tiled flooring on the upper story stands as evidence of its wealthy and fine construction. 

The tower’s morphology, with the counterfort walls, the elaborate floors and the exterior and interior openings, follows the Venetian architectural style of the 16th and 17th century. The main entrance has decorations from the Ottoman period, while the middle inscription cites the years 1740-41. This inscription is the reason why many researchers consider the tower of Ottoman making, but it could also be a Venetian construction with later alterations made by the Ottomans during 1740.

There is no certain evidence regarding the liege of Voila. There are many speculations around that person. Based on one theory, the feudal lord was a member of the Venetian family of “Zenon”. Zenon family were Islamized during the Turkish rule and changed their name. The commander of the Janissaries in Voila, the infamous “Jen Ali” after whom the tower is believed to be named, was supposedly part of that family. 

However, the settlement of Voila is also connected with the noble family of the “Salomons”, who built the extension of Saint George’s church and might have been the feudal lords of the area.