Listed 73 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "KYDONIA Province CHANIA" .
AGIA (Village) THERISSOS
The village of Agia is 9km from Chania on the Chania - Alikianos road.
In the area there is Agia Lake and the remains of the Byzantine bishopric of Kydonia.
AGIA MARINA (Village) CHANIA
This suburb to the west of Chania is known for the many small and
picturesque hotels, tavernas, and pleasant sandy beach.
AKROTIRI (Peninsula) CHANIA
The peninsula of Akrotiri rises to the northeast of Chania and acts
as a barrier that protects Souda Bay from heavy north winds. On the north coast,
sandy beaches provide excellent swimming, and the northeast has old monasteries
to visit. The airport and military facilities dominate the centre and south of
the peninsula. Many visitors come to Crete to see its rare wild flowers, and many
different kinds may be found from January to April on the Akrotiri.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ALIKIANOS (Village) MOUSSOURI
Alikianos is 9km southwest of Chania, and the area has remains of
a Venetian tower and very important Byzantine churches.
APTERA (Ancient city) SOUDA
Aptera has Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains, as well as a Turkish
fort. On the top you will see a track to the right towards the Byzantine and Roman
remains. Looking south across the valley of Stylos, you will enjoy the view of
the Lefka Ori. The view is quite breathtaking from here in the spring when the
White Mountains are covered with snow.
Aptera was a powerful city of Crete. Legend says that Aptera (meaning
wingless) acquired its name after the defeat of the Sirens in a music contest.
The Muses clipped the wings of the Sirens and when the Sirens tried to fly, they
fell into the water and formed the small islands in Souda Bay.
Aptera has been in existence since Minoan times, and its name appears
in the tablets of Knossos. It became a very important city-state of Crete during
Greek times and was involved in the Cretan wars. It had two harbours. The first
one, Minoa, was at the north entrance to Souda Bay, where Marathi beach is today.
The second was on the other side of the bay where Kalami or Kalives is located.
These harbours dominated the entrance to the protected bay of Souda. Aptera continued
to be an important city during the Roman and first Byzantine periods but it was
destroyed by the Arabs in 823 A.D. The Venetians built a fort there which was
destroyed by the pirate Barbarosa.
The city prospered until its destruction by the Arabs and later it
was abandoned. It was reoccupied by the Byzantines and, in several places, impressive
city walls are still visible, which were 4km long at one time. In the middle of
the site there is a small temple dating from classical times, (second century
B.C.). It is assumed that the temple was dedicated to a pair of gods, possibly
Dimitra and Kori.
CHANIA (Town) CRETE
Chania is the capital city of the prefecture of Chania. This beautiful
city on the north shore of Crete is about 1 hour (59km) from Rethimnon and 2 1/2
hours (137km) from Iraklion on the National Road. It is easily accessible from
Athens by regular flights a day during winter and summer. The International Airport
of Chania, 11km outside the city on the Akrotiri, also has regular flights to
other European countries. There is also a daily boat from Piraeus to Souda. Chania
is an ideal alternative to Iraklion for accessing and exploring the island. The
city is not as busy as Iraklion and has direct access to the other major cities
via the highway on the north side of the island.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
KERAMIES (Municipality) CHANIA
KYDONIA (Province) CHANIA
The beautiful Kydonia Plain (Pediada Kydonia) is to the southwest
and south of Chania. The plain of Kydonia extends from the northern beaches to
the foothills of the Lefka Ori. There are various roads that cross the plain of
Kydonia, winding through orange, lemon, and grapefruit orchards. This is one of
the richest growing areas in Crete. The orchards produce year round, but they
are most fruitful in the winter and spring.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
LAKKI (Village) MOUSSOURI
Laki is 24km southwest of Chania on the Chania - Fournes - Laki -
Omalos road. The view of the mountains and valleys are breathtaking. The road
starts the serious ascent to Omalos after Fournes. The scene of many rebellions
and battles against the Turks, the historic village of Laki, at 500 metres above
sea level, is worth a stop. Any one of the coffee shops or tavernas gives the
visitor a magnificent view of the valley below and the Lefka Ori.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Laki is a historic village where many rebellions and battles against the Turks took place. Further on the road to Omalos is a memorial plaque to World War II resistant fighters killed by the Germans. The New Zealander Dudley Perkins (Kiwi or Vasili) and his Cretan companion were ambushed near here on 28/2/1944.
MARATHI (Village) AKROTIRI
Marathi is 17km from Chania on the Chania - Aroni - Sternes - Marathi
road. As the road winds down to sea level, there are superb views of Souda Bay
and the Lefka Ori.
Marathi is on the north side of Souda Bay, near the entrance to the
bay. It has a small fishing harbour with several tavernas.
MESKLA (Village) MOUSSOURI
Meskla is located southwest of Chania, 21km on the road Chania - Fournes
- Omalos. Meskla is the site of an ancient city, as various finds and cyclopean
wall remains show, but archaeologists do not agree on which city it was. The village
is very pleasantly situated between green hills in the Keritis Valley, has a river
going through it, and the Lefka Ori as a background. In Meskla there are also
Byzantine churches.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
Meskla is the site of an ancient city, as various finds and cyclopean wall remains show, but archaeologists do not agree on which city it was.In Meskla there are also Byzantine churches.
MONI CHRYSSOPIGIS (Monastery) ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
MOURNIES (Small town) ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
The village of Mournies is south of Chania, on the borders of the
city. Mournies is an historic village and has interesting Byzantine churches and
a monastery.
The village of Mournies took its name from the numerous mulberry trees, that exist here even today. At the beginning of the 17th century, Mournies was famous for its beautiful villas, belonging to local noblemen. One of them, located southeast of the village, was the imposing three level villa of "Koukounara", where many famous persons were received hospitality, amongst them the glorious Mme Ortans, the empress Eugene of Napoleon the third, queen Olga of Greece, and the king Constantinos in 1913.
Mournies was the birth place of one of the greatest statesman of the new Hellenic Republic,Eleftherios Venizelos. Venizelos' influence on the history of Greece was paramount, from his participation to the talks with the Ottomans that resulted to granting Crete independence in 1897, to the final union of Crete with Greece in 1913. The house of Venizelos located in Mournies is going to be a museum.
NEA KYDONIA (Municipality) CHANIA
NEROKOUROS (Village) ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
The village of Nerokourou is southeast of Chania on the borders of
the city, where a Minoan site was recently excavated.
OMALOS (Plateau) CHANIA
Omalos is 43km south-southwest of Chania on the Chania
- Fournes - Omalos road. Omalos borders the three provinces of Kydonia, Selino, and Sfakia.
PLATANIAS (Port) CHANIA
Platanias is a very lοvely small town near the sea, 11km from Chania
on the Chania - Kastelli road. The picturesque old town is located above the village
on a hill. The village of Platanias has all kinds of tourist facilities: cafes,
restaurants, hotels, shopping.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
SAMARIA (National Park) CHANIA
Xiloskalo is the point of the plateau of Omalos where the Samaria
Gorge begins. Xiloskalo or Wooden Stairs refers to the steps that descend into
the gorge. The taverna here has a balcony that has a spectacular view of the area.
Halfway through the gorge, is the deserted village of Samaria.
SOUDA (Small town) CHANIA
Souda itself (6km from Chania) is a typical port area but the bay
and the landscape around it are very beautiful. In the nearby area is also the
Allied World War II cemetery. Souda Bay is one of the most strategically important
NATO anchorages in the Mediterranean.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
SOUDA (Bay) CHANIA
Souda Bay is one of the most strategically important NATO anchorages
in the Mediterranean. The inlet is 15km long and in some areas, 16km wide, making
it the largest harbour in the Mediterranean. It is also one of the most protected
from all winds--deceivingly so, because very often it is not known how bad the
weather is outside the harbour. During World War II, heavy German aerial bombardment
sank many British ships here.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
STAVROS (Port) AKROTIRI
Stavros is 17km from Chania on the Chania - Kounoupidiana - Horafakia
road, near the north tip of the Akrotiri Peninsula.
Stavros is at the north tip of the Akrotiri Peninsula. The circular bay encloses the sandy beach. There is also a small fishing harbour here. The film "Zorba the Greek" used the bare mountainside that dominates one side of the bay.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
STERNES (Village) AKROTIRI
Sternes is 15km from Chania on the Chania - Aroni - Sternes - Marathi
road. The village of Sternes contains the Byzantine church of Agii Pandes and
also remains of Venetian houses.
THERISSO (Village) CHANIA
This important and historical village is 15km south of Chania on the
road Chania - Pervolia - Therisos which goes through the 6km Therisos Gorge. The
village is famous for cheese-making and another important occupation is animal
husbandry. From Therisos you can climb Pahnes (2,452m), the highest peak of the
Lefka Ori. It is, however, easier to do it from Agios Ioannis in Sfakia. Many
significant battles in the revolution against the Turks took place in Therisos.
The Halides brothers, well-known fighters against the Turks, were from Therisos.
The Eleftherios Venizelos Centre for Independence is in Therisos.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
Due to its location Therisso played a significant role at the history of the island. A mill stone at the entrance of the village reminds the death of a young woman (grinded alive), when she denied to withdraw to Moustafa Pasha. Here were born the great Cretan revolutionists (Hainis), Vassilis, Giannis and Stefanos Halis. Vassilis Halis, became a hainis very young, and participated to the most great battles against the Turks in Crete and Peloponnissos.
But Therisso is mostly known for its relation with the Venizelos movement in March 1905. Venizelos, who dissented with prince George' policy and declared the Union of Crete with Greece, had his headquarters at Therisso.
2,5 km north of Therisso, at the left bank of Kladissos river, there is a cave where signs of neolithic and Minoan habitation were discovered.
THERISSOS (Municipality) CHANIA
TSIKALARIA (Village) SOUDA
The village of Tsikalaria is southeast of Chania, near Souda. The
village contains the Byzantine church of the Panagia.
APTERA (Ancient city) SOUDA
Apteria, Apteron, Eth. Apteraios (Palaeokastron). A city of Crete
situated to the E. of Polyrrhenia, and 80 stadia from Cydonia (Strab. x. p. 479).
Here was placed the scene of the legend of the contest between the Sirens and
the Muses, when after the victory of the latter, the Sirens lost the feathers
of their wings from their shoulders, and having thus become white cast themselves
into the sea, - whence the name of the city Aptera, and of the neighbouring islands
Leucae. (Steph. B. s. v.) It was at one time in alliance with Cnossus, but was
afterwards compelled by the Polyrrhenians to side with them against that city.
(Pol. iv. 55.) The port of Aptera according to Strabo was Cisamos. Mr. Pashley
(Travels, vol. i. p. 48) supposes that the ruins of Palaeokastron belong to Aptera,
and that its port is to be found at or near Kalyves. Diodorus (v. 64) places Berecynthos
in the district of the Apteraeans. (The old reading was emended by Meursius, Creta,
p. 84.) This mountain has been identified with the modern Malaxa, which from its
granitic and schistose basis complies with the requisite geological conditions
for the existence of metallic veins; if we are to believe that bronze and iron
were here first discovered, and bestowed on man by the Idaean Dactyls.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KYDONIA (Ancient city) CHANIA
Kudonia, Kudonis: Eth. and Adj. Kudoniates, Kudon, Kudonios, Kudonaios,
Kudonis, Kudoniakos, Cydon, Cydoneus, Cydoniatae, Cydonites, Cydonius: Khania).
One of the most ancient and important cities of Crete. (Strab. x.) Homer (Od.
iii. 292, xix. 176) speaks of the Cydonians who dwelt about the river Iardanus,
whom Strabo considers to be indigenous, but nowhere mentions a city Cydonia. The
traditions, though differing among themselves, prove that it existed in very ancient
times. Herodotus (iii. 44, 59) assigns its foundation to the Samians who established
themselves there, and during their 5 years' residence in it built the temple of
Dictynna, as well as those which still existed when the historian wrote. The city,
however, as is plain from the legends, existed before the time of Polycrates,
though adorned by the Samnians. In the Peloponneslan War it was engaged in hostilities
with the Gortynians, who were assisted by an Athenian squadron. (Thuc. ii. 35.)
Cydonia, as Arnold remarks, would especially hate and be hated by the Athenians,
as a considerable portion of its citizens were Aeginetan colonists. (Herod. iii.
59.) At a later period it formed an alliance with the Cnossians. (Polyb. iv. 55.
§ 4, xxxiii. 15. § 4.) After the termination of the Sacred War, Phalaecus, the
Phocian general, attacked Cydonia, and was killed with most of his troops during
the siege. (Diod. xvi. 61.) At one time she carried on hostilities single-handed
against both Cnossus and Gortyna. (Liv. xxxvii. 40.) The first engagement between
the Cretans, under Lasthenes and Panares, and the Roman legions, under Metellus,
was fought in the Cydonian district. The Romans were victorious. Metellus was
saluted imperator, and laid siege to Cydonia. (Appian, Cret. vi. 2; Liv. Epit.
xcviii.)
Strabo describes Cydonia as situated on the sea and looking towards
Laconia, at a distance of 800 stadia from both Cnossus and Gortyna. Scylax mentions
Cydonia as having a harbour which could be closed (limen kleistos); the port of
Khania exactly answers to this description. This identity of physical features
with the notices of several ancient writers (Ptol. l. c.; Plin. iv. 12. s. 20),
coupled with the circumstance that maritime symbols are found on autonomous coins
of Cydonia, has led Mr. Pashley to fix the site in or near the modern Khania.
The quince-tree derived its name from the Cretan Cydonia, in the district
of which city it was indigenous, and was thence transported into other countries.
(Plin. xv. 11.) The fruit was called kodumalon in the ancient Cretan dialect.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
POLICHNI (Ancient city) CHANIA
Eth. Polichnites. A town of Crete, whose territory bordered upon that
of Cydonia. (Thuc. ii. 85.) In B.C. 429 the Athenians assisted the inhabitants
of Polichna in making war upon the Cydonians. (Thuc. l. c.) Herodotus also mentions
the Polichnitae, and says that this people and the Praesii were the only people
in Crete who did not join the other Cretans in the expedition against Camicus
in Sicily in order to revenge the death of Minos (vii. 170; Steph. B. s. v.).
Cramer (Ancient Greece, vol. iii. p. 380) supposes the ruins at Polis S. of Armyro
to be those of Polichna, which Pashley, however, regards as those of Lappa or
Lampa. (Crete, vol. i. p. 83.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
APTERA (Ancient city) SOUDA
A city of Crete about eighty stadia from Cydonia. Its name was
said to be derived from the result of a contest in music held at this place between
the Sirens and the Muses, when the former, being defeated, were so affected that
their wings dropped from their shoulders
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KYDONIA (Ancient city) CHANIA
Kudonia. One of the chief cities of Crete, situated on the northwest
coast, derived its name from the Cydones, a Cretan race, placed by Homer in the
western part of the island. Cydonia was the place from which quinces (Cydonia
mala) were first brought to Italy; and its inhabitants were among the best Cretan
archers.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
AGIA (Village) THERISSOS
A little further from Agia Community is the Agia prison which was
built in about 1930 by Eleftherios Venizelos. It was there that took place horrid
crimes against innocent people and macabre sacrifice of Greek heroes. The prison
deserves well the name "The Calvary of Crete" and without doubt they represent
a notorious and barbaric act of Hitler's Nazi Germany. German parachutists occupied
them the first hours of their landing at the Battle of Crete. Their leader was
colonel Haindrich. The prison was converted into a Greek Dachaou. It was there
that in 16-9-1944 the Germans, in retaliation to the kidnapping of general Krappe
by the Cretan resistance, beheaded 60 prisoners with an axe.
This text is cited Dec 2001 from a WebPage of the Municipality of Therissos.
CHANIA (Town) CRETE
The most poetic city of Crete when you walk through it leaves you
with a pleasant taste of beauty. Built on the ruins of ancient Kidonia it has
seen and survived many invaders, but has also tasted civilizations that left their
marks on building faces, castles, walls, antiquities, monasteries and churches.
The city has two entrances: the airport of Akrotiri, and the port of Souda (the
largest in the Mediterranean). The public market holds a master place in the center
of the city, a brilliant cross-shaped building that was completed in 1913, and
in proportion with the one in Marseilles. Near the city center the Public Garden
awaits you next to the "Peace and Friendship of the people" park. The gardens
are the prettiest in Crete, and also the public garden offers a small zoo with
animals from Cretan fauna.
The Venetian port picturesque any time and season is attractive to
visitors and locals, for it's beauty and for it's choices of entertainment for
all tastes and demands. The old city "intramural" districts preserve their Venetian
nobility. Narrow paved alleys are surrounded with tasteful renewed houses, from
various ages, are offered for a pleasant walk. Many neoclassic houses are also
saved in districts which "neighbor" with the city of Chania, like Halepa.
Το κείμενο παρατίθεται τον Σεπτέμβριο 2002 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα, με φωτογραφίες, του Δήμου Χανίων
PERIVOLIA (Village) THERISSOS
The name Perivolia originates from the big flower gardens and the extended kitchen gardens that used to exist for many years in this village. Apart from the natural beauty of the scenery there are also sightseeing in the area such as the cave of "Charodia" that has great archaeological and tourist interest, an ancient grave yard, that has been discovered near the St, Kiriaki site and has a large number of graves. There are also the ruins of Moustafa Pasha Villa, the Conqueror of Arkadi. The villa is called "Sersebillia", that is "Fountain of Heaven", because the large number of the water springs that exist near there.
Moreover, in Boutsounaria ( a word which originates from Koutsounaria=water pipes ), there are few traces of a building as well as an arch from the Venetian Villa of the Family Viaro. This is what wrote the traveler Richard Pococke who visited this location in 1745. Boutsounaria also have a historical importance because on the hill which is in this area there were the first battles of the large-scale Cretan revolution in 1866-69 and the place where the first Revolution Committee was met. Several Cretan historians mention these events ( Psilakis, Kriaris, Mourelos, and others ). At Perivolia there are a lot of monasteries and Byzantine churches. The most important monasteries are that of the small Holly Trinity that belongs to Sinai and that of St. Kiriaki which is related to the Great Revolution in '66.
This text is cited Dec 2001 from a WebPage of the Municipality of Therissos.
THERISSO (Village) CHANIA
According to the historian Psilakis the central committee of the revolution, for his excellent intellectual and military abilities, honored Basil Halis. He was awarded the office of a Marshal. Stefanos was one of the finest men born in Crete. He was an excellent singer and he used to play the Cretan lyra ( local music instrument ). He was educated and very kind at heart. He fought like a lion and never stopped singing, even at the time of the fight. He was killed in August 1821 during the battle that took place in Aliakes, a beautiful location south of Therisos, with a lot of plane trees, water and quietness. But Therisos was mostly known for the events in 1905. After successive efforts by Cretan people to get rid of the Turkish tyrant yoke and especially after the slaughtering of the Cretan people in Chania, 700 Christians in Heraklion and 17 English soldiers between 1897 and 1898, the Great Powers (England, France, Italy and Russia) had to take it upon themselves to protect Crete.
Therefore, after the agreement, they asked Prince George to rule Crete. He was the son of the King of Greece George the 1st. In 1898 he was triumphantly received in Souda port by crowds of people and the head of the four admirals of the protecting countries that is by the French Potie, the English Noel, the Italian Betolo and the Russian Skrithlof. The Constitution, which was passed at that time, gave great power and authority to Prince George so that the newly founded state was more easily governed. This Constitution was valid for three years. Venizelos, who was at the time a young lawyer in Chania, co-operated with the Prince and was his major counselor for justice issues. It was then that the independent Cretan County developed an authoritarian personality and some arbitrary decisions of his in national affairs rose a conflict between him and Venizelos Consequently there was a rupture of their friendly relations.
On March 10th1905 Eleftherios Venizelos and other Cretan leaders (there were 1500 people half of them armed) went up to Therisos and declared the Cretan Revolution with the goal of not spilling their brothers' blood. During the nine months of conflict the three leaders of the rebels (El. Venizelos, Kon. Foumis, Kon. Manos) set up their headquarters in Therisos. Their goal was to create a liberal government and the Union of Crete with Mother Greece.
DECREE:
"The Cretan people in a rally in Therisos in Kydonia where all people took part today on March 10th 1905, declare before God and People their political Union to the Kingdom of Greece and the development of one unbreakable, liberal and constitutional state". Prince George asks the Great Powers to help him repress the mutiny and ordered a lot of arrests. But nothing could stop the people. There were massive desertions of the government policemen and finally, after long and exhaustive negotiations, they reached the following agreement : 1) The rebels had to hand over their weapons. 2) All the deserter-policemen could flee to Greece without running any danger. 3) All the forces, which supported Prince George, would break up immediately. George was forced to resign and left at night as if he was persecuted. That was the historical event, which led the way to the long-wanted Union of Crete to Greece.
This text is cited Dec 2001 from a WebPage of the Municipality of Therissos.
VAMVAKOPOULO (Village) THERISSOS
The community of Vamvakopoulo was formed in 1966 from the integration of the Kalithea community and Vamvakopoulo community. Today includes all the communities, which are on both sides of the highway going from the Kladissos River to the 5th kilometer towards the orange orchards of Kydonia. 80% of the inhabitants are immigrants from Asia Minor who immigrated here in 1922 during the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. After the Turks had left the island they acquired by lot the Turks' property. There are many legends about some of the names of certain locations of Vamvakopoulo. Marina's estate was named after Marina, a lady from Prousa, Asia Minor, who was notorious for her strange ironic personality and strong accent. The Yetim-Aga location is named after a Turkish-Cretan of Italian nationality who stayed in Crete even after 1922. His descendants sold his estate-house and all the rest of his property in 1965 and settled in Constantinople.
Platanos was named after the long-aged plane tree, which still stands in the square. According to historic evidence and some legends Turks hanged dozens of Christians from this tree during the Turkish occupation. Psiloritis was once named Karali Estate (which means the estate of the Black Ali) from some person of Turkish origin. Kalithea was called so, because of its beautiful view of both the sea and valley below. Allover Vamvakopoulo, one can see distinct evidence of the Turkish occupation, especially through the ruins of old houses. The strange thing is that there is no sign of any Turkish domes, minarets or Christian churches. The only existing church is that of Saint George. It should be noted that excavations have brought to light archaeological findings of the Roman age.
This text is cited Dec 2001 from a WebPage of the Municipality of Therissos.
VARYPETRO (Village) THERISSOS
The whole community of Varipetro used to be a feud belonging to the well-known feudal lord Mario Petros. So, as they say, it was got its name after him. Throughout the years the name Mario Petros was changed into Vari Petros and turned into Varipetro. Today it consists of 5 more communities, namely Marmaras, Ligides, Potistiria, Miloniana and Oasi. In the 1881 census Varipetro had 128 citizens. Later it was detached from Perivolia and added to Municipality of Chania. In the 1938 census 358 people were recorder to be members of this particular community.
In 1968 doctor Vardinoyannis, who believed that had discovered ancient Kidonia, started excavations at the northeast rocks of the villa in Kastela where there is a Venetian fortress. In the excavations that took place in Dembla the ruins of a prehistoric community were discovered which proved that people have lived in that area since pre-historic years. The historian Trivan mentions the way the area surrounding Varipetro was populated in a chronicle in 1645. It had then the same name as today and it belongs to St. Lazarus area. Because of its proximity to Chania and the configuration of its ground, Varipetro became the center of severe battles ever since the Venetian occupation and, until recently, during those invasions people of Varipetro sought safety to the mountains of Therisos until the danger was over. Ever since the two villages have exchanged populations, have protected each other and have formed common bonds.
In 1867, the year that the Turks used Towers to repulse the rebellious Cretans, the citizens of Varipetro build the Anibalis Tower southeast from the village. The rebellious activity of the locals was heroic and full of valiant actions. Many of them fought in Macedonia - at the liberating wars - and became distinguished captains. In the Second World War they helped organize the most unpleasant surprise that had awaited the German parachutists since the beginning of the war. They fought bravely from 1941 until Crete was liberated from its enemies. In retaliation to their resistance during the war, Germans turned the whole area of Varipetro into a Calvary of acts of brutality and constant executions of Greek patriots. However, the rebels did not stop their fight and very often collisions and mortal battles took place. In the most well known battle villagers from Varipetro managed to destroy a tank with some old riffles only ever since that area is called "Tank".
This text is cited Dec 2001 from a WebPage of the Municipality of Therissos.
POLICHNI (Ancient city) CHANIA
KYDONIA (Ancient city) CHANIA
A titular see of Crete.
According to old legends Cydonia (or Kydonia) was founded by King Kydon, on the
northwest shore of Crete. It
was afterwards occupied by the Achaeans and Aeolians, but remained one of the
chief cities of the island till it was taken by Q. C. Metellus (A.D. 69). The
Venetians rebuilt and fortified it in 1252; it was taken by the Turks in 1645.
After the Frank occupation there was in Crete
a Latin see, Agriensis, or Agiensis, which must have been the same as that of
Cydonia, or Canea. The last occupant retired to Italy
when the city had been taken by the Turks.
Canea still remains a Greek see.
S. Petrides, ed.
Transcribed by: Anthony J. Stokes
This extract is cited June 2003 from The Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent online edition URL below.
APTERA (Ancient city) SOUDA
On a steep-sided plateau (231 m) just inland from Kalami on the S
side of entrance to Suda Bay. Various attempts were made in antiquity to explain
the name: e.g., that this was the site of the song contest of the Muses and Sirens;
the latter lost their wings when defeated (Steph. Byz. s.v. Aptera; ‘aptera’ =
‘wingless’); another legend has an eponymous hero Apteros. The city's name may
in fact derive from the epithet of Artemis there (see below). The foundation of
the city is variously ascribed to Glaukos of Cyrene or Pteras of Delphi.
There are few literary references to the city's history: archers from
A. fought for Sparta in the second Messenian war (late 7th c.; Paus. 4.20.8);
in 220 B.C. the city was forced by Polyrrhenia to desert its alliance with Knossos
(Polyb. 4.55.4). A little can be gleaned from inscriptions: A. probably supported
Sparta against Pyrrhos (272) and in the Chremonidean war (267/6-1); at this time
it had links with Ptolemaic Egypt but was strangely absent from the alliances
with Miletos (mid 3d c.); Scipios and their staff were honored there (189) as
well as pro-Roman Achaeans (early 2d c.), Attalus I or II, and Prusias II. The
city joined the treaty with Eumenes (183).
Impressive city walls indicate prosperity in the Early Hellenistic
period, and wide commercial and political contacts are attested by a series of
proxeny decrees (mainly 2d c.); the city's position at the mouth of the safest
anchorage in Crete was of benefit. However, Aptera seems to have declined before
the Roman Conquest, perhaps becoming dependent on its powerful neighbor Kydonia.
Archaeological evidence of continued settlement through the Early Byzantine period
is confirmed by a mention in Hierokles (650.11) and references to bishops of Aptera
(Notitiae 8.227; 9.136). Geographical sources refer to it, usually as an inland
city, without much detail: [Scylax] 47; Strab. 10.4.13, p. 479; Dion. Call. 122f.;
Plin. HN 4.12.59 (Minoium Apteron are two separate sites); Ptol. Geogr. 3.5.7;
Stad. 344 (confusion with Minoa?); Rav. Cosm. V.21; Steph. Byz. s.v. The form
Aptara was apparently the usual one in Crete, and Aptera outside: coins have Aptara,
inscriptions both, literary texts mostly Aptera. Coins portray a number of deities,
especially Artemis Aptera, who seems to have been the chief deity (related to
Diktynna and associated with initiation rites: see Willetts). Coins also commonly
depict an armed man, Ptolioikos (the hero Apteros?), a bee, a torch, and a bow.
Coinage started ca. 330 and ceased well before the Roman Conquest; there was none
under Roman rule.
Pashley first correctly identified the site, previously thought to
be Minoa or Amphimalla. Considerable remains survive, though nowhere to full height,
of the city walls which are 4 km long, probably of 3d c. date, and all of one
period despite differences in style. They surround the entire plateau, some of
which was probably not built on even at times of maximum population. The work
is particularly solid (2.4-2.8 m thick) on the W side, the normal approach at
least from the Hellenistic period and the easiest route of access. The main gate
is set at an oblique angle and flanked by towers; farther S is another tower shielding
a sally port. Only traces survive of the wall line along the S and central N side,
and on the NW side the work is rougher (with a steep drop outside). On the E side
the terrain is rougher and the plateau edge irregular; the wall course is correspondingly
irregular. The E gate (now Sideroporta) lay where the wall crossed a deep gully
running into the site from the NE. Earlier the city may have been more clearly
oriented towards the plain to the E, and there are possible traces of early defenses
farther up the gully and around a low hill near the E side of the city, S of the
gully, which seems to have been the acropolis; only rock cuttings survive on its
top.
Apart from the city walls, the most striking ancient remains are the
two great cisterns in the center of the site on the S side of the main gully (since
these, like the walls, remained in use for centuries, they escaped demolition
in the Early Byzantine period when all other ancient buildings were stripped of
reusable building material; the walls suffered more during Venetian and Turkish
fortification of Suda Bay). Both cisterns were built of concrete faced with brick
and then mortar. One (W of the monastery of St. John of Patmos) has one aisle
and turns at a right angle (6.3 m clear width). The other (NE of the monastery)
has three barrel-vaulted aisles divided by two rows of four longitudinal arched
piers (overall size 24.7 x 18.5 x 8.2 m high); it is of Roman date, at least in
its final form (with barrel vaults). To the SW of the monastery is a small double-cella
temple (cf. Sta. Lenika) of careful, heavily clamped ashlar (5th-4th c.); later,
graves were put inside and a mediaeval building over it. Behind is a terrace wall
(associated with Protogeometric-Geometric sherds?). Nearby to the SE, a wall containing
a number of (mainly proxeny) inscriptions was seen by Pococke and Pashley and
excavated by Wescher (1862-64) but largely demolished in the 1890s; three more
inscriptions were found in 1928. They may be in situ, not reused, and perhaps
associated with the prytaneion. The wall has now entirely disappeared, but nearby
is a 7th-8th c. church. To the E of this is a Roman apsidal building (bouleuterion?),
with W wall, of poor concrete work with three niches, partly surviving. To the
S of this, Early Byzantine houses have been excavated, and others of this period
N of the cisterns.
The small theater lay inside the S city wall; the cavea (diam. 55
m) and orchestra (diam. 18 m) are now a simple hollow covered with stone. Diazoma,
some seats and the paraskenia are still visible, but little of the stage building
(25 x 6 m). Remains of brick walls attest alterations in the Roman period. To
the E of the theater are traces of a small Doric temple (of Dionysos?). Between
the acropolis (?) and E city wall is a small, poorly preserved temple of the Early
Roman period: distyle in antis, with two statue bases in front; it was perhaps
a Temple of Demeter and Kore (excavated 1958). The earlier attribution to it of
bull statues is probably wrong. The existence of a temple under the Turkish Fort
Izzedin at the NE corner of the site is uncertain.
Sherds of all periods from Classical (a few) to Early Byzantine and
later cover the site. The main area of occupation in earlier periods was in the
larger part S of the gully; remains in the N part seem to be mostly Byzantine
or later. Buildings were probably never closely crowded. In the Roman period the
city probably became rather agricultural in character. The site was destroyed
in the Arab conquest and probably not reoccupied until Venetian times.
The necropolis lay on the saddle to the W near Megala Choraphia and
contained rock-cut graves as well as chamber tombs of Late Classical-Roman times
and an earlier pithos burial. Some rock-cut graves found within the city walls
(S side) indicate lack of habitation there. The port was at Kisamos; Aptera is
thought by some to have controlled Minoa across the bay entrance. To the W is
Mt. Malaxa (ancient Berekynthos), where the Idaean Daktyloi lived, legendary inventors
of metallurgy (Diod. 5.64.5).
D. J. Blackman, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
KYDONIA (Ancient city) CHANIA
On the gulf of the same name in the W part of the island, it is one
of the three greatest and most famous cities of Crete. It is mentioned in many
ancient sources (Scylax 47; Strab. 10.4.7-8, 11-13; Pompon. Mela 2.113; Plin.
HN 4.12.59; Ptol. 3.15.5;Stad. 343-44; Tab. Peut. 8.5; Rav. Cosm. 5.21). It had
a good harbor and controlled a fertile plain. Founded traditionally by Minos or
Kydon (Marmor Parium 21f; Diod. 5.78.2; Paus. 8.53.4), it was the principal site
in the territory of the Kydones. Herodotos (3.59) tells of its foundation or refoundation
in 524 by Samian exiles, who built the temples visible in the 5th c.; they were
defeated and enslaved by Aeginetans (with Cretan support), who then settled there
(Strab. 8.6.16) and remained a significant part of the population. The city was
attacked unsuccessfully by an Athenian force in answer to an appeal from its small
neighbor Polichna in 429 B.C. (Thuc. 2.85) and by Phalaikos the Phokian mercenary
commander in 343 B.C. (Diod. 16.63; Paus. 10.2.7.).
It had good relations with Athens and probably with Macedon in the
later 4th and 3d c. It was allied with Knossos in mid 3d c., but forced to abandon
this alliance in 220 by Polyrrhenia (Polyb. 4.55.4). Increasing prosperity from
the 4th c. made Kydonia predominant in W Crete by the 2d c.; it subjected Phalasarna,
but was forced by Ap. Claudius to restore its freedom (Polyb. 22.15) in 184 B.C.
It stayed out of the Cretan League and the alliance with Eumenes II (183 B.C.),
but made a separate alliance with him, invoked in 170 or 169 when Gortyn threatened
it, counterattacking in reprisal for the city's atrocities against Apollonia (destroyed
171; Polyb. 28.14-15; Diod. 30.13). For long periods it controlled the Diktynnaion.
It led Cretan resistance to Rome in the 1st c. B.C., supported Octavian against
Antony, and was rewarded with freedom (30 B.C.; Dio Cass. 51.2). It was prosperous
under the Empire and one of the few Cretan cities then issuing its own coinage,
which had begun in the early 5th c. B.C. The seat of a bishop, the settlement
continued until the Arab Conquest in the early 9th c.
Recent excavations on Kastelli Hill by the harbor have revealed a
very important Minoan settlement, mainly MM-LM (esp. LM III), but with also EM
and post-Minoan sherds (esp. Geometric). From the Bronze Age onwards this was
clearly the main settlement in the area; theories that Kydonia or early Kydonia
lay W or SW of Khania must be rejected. Of the post-Minoan city very little has
been found, but it probably occupied Kastelli Hill (presumably the acropolis)
and the area below to the S. Remains of buildings with mosaics of the Roman period
(mainly 2d c. A.D.) have been found just S of the Cathedral (Metropolis; two rooms
of bath complex and part of hypocaust); by Venizelos Sq. S of the Market; and
in Nea Katastimata to the SW (mosaic depicting Poseidon and Amymone). Tombs of
MM, LM, archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman date (the Minoan mainly chamber
tombs and the later mainly cist graves or hypogaea) have been found in the E and
SE of the city: in the area of the Public Park, Stadium, Law Courts (Mazali),
Bolaris and Khalepa. Minoan remains have also been found to the SW. The ancient
harbor (closable according to Skylax; with reefs at entrance according to the
Stad.) was below Kastelli to the N, the harbor used later by the Venetians, whose
mole along the reef probably covers an ancient mole. Belli saw remains of the
theater (being demolished in 1585 by the Venetians for improvements to their fortifications),
an aqueduct, and a temple with a Doric portico. The Venetian walls clearly contain
much ancient material and provide the main reason for the lack of visible ancient
remains.
D. J. Blackman, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
MINOA (Ancient city) CRETE
A small harbor town near Sternes on SE side of Akrotin peninsula,
N side of entrance to Suda Bay, opposite Aptera. It is generally thought to have
been the second port of Aptera, but from the 3d c. at least it was controlled
by Kydonia. It may once have been independent, but since no coins are known, it
was probably no longer so by the 4th c. It is mentioned only by geographers (Plin.
HN 4.12.59; Ptol. 3.15.5; Stad. 344).
Remains have been excavated (1939) of a building with 12 rooms, a
cistern, and a well (1st-2d c. A.D.) behind a shore embankment and promenade,
incorporating much reused material, which run for a further 60 m to the W, with
traces of other buildings on the landward side. This is only part of a larger
settlement occupying at least the E half of the Marathi valley, and supplied with
water by an open aqueduct. Pre-Roman settlement is shown by the reused material.
In the hillside bordering the plain on the N, by the rock shelter of Marathospilio,
was an important open-air sanctuary (of Diktynna?) from at least archaic to Roman
times (Faure).
An alternative location was suggested by Spratt: Limni, S of Sternes,
where on the peninsula enclosing from the S a shallow, almost circular bay there
are houses, Classical-Roman sherds and tombs of the Roman period; on the ridge
above to the E is a circular tower (lighthouse or watch-tower) of Classical date,
connected to the shore by a fortified road 500 m long. A small fishing settlement
and probably dependent on the Marathi site, it may possibly have been early Minoa.
But it may first have been made into a harbor by the Venetians (Porto Nuovo, 1594).
D. J. Blackman, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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