Sfakia, Crete
Around 74km south of Chania is the small village of Chora
Sfakion (Sfakia). This enchanting seaside village is located
midpoint in a hidden cove surrounded by countryside renowned for
its remote wilderness.
This lonely and rugged terrain is said to be a reflection of the
character and personality of the people who reside there.
Renowned as plucky and free-spirited, the residents of Chora
Sfakion made a living from the sea and became sailors and
commercial traders. Sfakia has many links with heroic periods
throughout the history of Crete and the village has a good few
mansions dating from around 300-400 years ago as testament to
this history. During the times of the Venetian occupation the
village became a centre of financial development and saw its
population increase to around 3000 inhabitants.
It was at this point that its fortress, Castelli, was
constructed and where the local Venetian governor took up
residence. In 1770 there was a rebellion against the Turkish
occupation and, although unsuccessful with the townsfolk being
drained in blood , the people of Chora Sfakion did not admit
defeat and continued to fight the Turks at every opportunity.
This brave perseverance was still evident when, during the
Second World War, on 31st May, 1941, the small port of Sfakia
was used with the support and assistance of the villagers as
a point of escape from the island by soldiers from Australia and
New Zealand who had remained behind after the main allied forces
had gone. Sites to visit whilst in Sfakia include the Church of
Panagia of Thymiani, the village of Komitades and the legendary
Fragocastello.
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SFAKIA