General Information of the Municipal Unit of Georgioupolis

The Municipal Unit of Georgioupolis came from the merger of 5 former communities: Georgioupolis, Kalamitsi Amygdali, Kastellou, Kourna and Fylakis. The former communities now constitute the Local Departments, while the seat of the Municipal unit is Vrises. According to the 2001 census, the population is 2,483 inhabitants.

Relevant Articles

Geography

A set of villages built on the slopes of the White Mountains, at the mouth of the Almyros River and on the shore that crosses the bay, among vineyards, olive groves and forests. There, the visitor finds all the geomorphological features of the island, concentrated in a small area: mountain and plain, river, lake and sea, wildlife and arable land. Landscapes of unparalleled beauty, settlements that preserve the traditional Cretan element, but also residential areas with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, nightlife, modern hotel units with high quality services and easy access to any part of western Crete via the highway that connects the major cities. . In Georgioupolis every summer, almost all the residents are dedicated to the service of the visitors: the famous Cretan Hospitality, finds here its absolute transformation.

Sights

Georgioupolis
Seaside village that has evolved into a modern tourist resort. It is located 38 km southeast of Chania. It is built in a green area. Starting from Georgioupolis, you can visit many other nearby areas, which are distinguished for their natural beauty. On its beautiful beach, where the Almyros river flows, you can spend wonderful moments. We warn you that there are strong currents in the area, so be careful. Kournas The village

Kournas
It is 43 km from Chania and 20 km from Rethymno, turning south on the road located at the 41st km of the national road Chania – Rethymno. A large village, located at the foot of “Dafnomadara” (altitude 1680 m.) At an altitude of 200 m., In the fertile basin where the homonymous lake springs and three rivers flow. Kournas is a very old village that flourished as early as 1583 AD. Many historical battles have taken place in this area. Kournas was the seat of the Revolutionary Government in 1866 (during the Turkish occupation) and the seat of the General Assembly of the Cretans in 1897. However, there are many legends that connect the village with the lake (on the banks of which it is said to have been built before) but also with its old Byzantine churches such as Agios Georgios and Agia Irini. The cave of the village is also interesting, which is located in a panoramic position on the road to Kournas, in the place Keratide. The cave has a length of 35 m., A width of 24 m. And a height that reaches 2.85 m. And one can admire in it, rare speleological elements. In Patima is the church of Agios Theodoros, in which there is also a decorated tomb. In the village there are still ruins of Venetian buildings.

Lake of Kournas
The only natural lake in the whole Mediterranean and the southernmost lake in Europe. The lake is created by the obstruction of the groundwater, which descends from the volume of the White Mountains, from the impenetrable rocks and the bed of the natural pit. The lake is fed by the Amati spring to the south and drains through the “groove” to the river Delfina to the north. Its distance from the sea is 2.5 km. Its maximum length (N-N) is 1080 meters and its maximum width (N-D) is 880 meters. It occupies an area of ​​579 acres with a maximum depth of 22.5 meters (3.5 meters below sea level). The volume of water in summer amounts to about 7.5 million cubic meters. The area of ​​the lake is characterized as a tectonic fault that is flooded with water from the Amati spring (NNA end of the lake at a depth of 16.5 meters) due to the newogenic deposits that ensure its tightness. Just imagine a large pit that is supplied on one side with water due to the porosity of the soil while on the opposite side it is sealed due to the nature of the rocks. The lake has water escapes from its N and NW edges. In this section for decades there have been works of overflow and drainage of water to the cultivated areas and the sea. The level of the lake varies with the season. In summer and until autumn, the level is at the lowest level due to the reduction of the volume of groundwater from the mountains, while during the winter and spring, when the aquifers are fed, the level rises. The lake has been mentioned since ancient times as Korisia. In fact, it is believed that there was a sanctuary on the banks in honor of Athena Korisia. In Arabic, the word Kourna means bath and lake. So maybe the Arabs were the ones who renamed it from Korisia to Kourna. The dark waters of the lake impressed all visitors and residents as they considered the lake bottomless (fraud). In fact, travelers since the Middle Ages, reported with awe about the estimated depth of the lake.

The legend of the lake
Legend has it that at the site of the lake, there was a village (probably the ancient “Korion”). One day one of the villagers took his daughter to go to the fields. On the street they sat down to rest and the daughter started combing her blonde hair. Her father, while initially boasting about her, suddenly fell in love with her and threw her. The daughter in her despair shouted only “Voula and Voulolimna! And I am an element in the lake! ” Immediately the place sank and became the lake. In fact, the locals used to believe that those who see ghosts, see in the middle of the lake on a rock, a girl sitting and combing her golden hair.

Kalamitsi Amygdalou
Rural village, 31 km from Chania, built at an altitude of 140 m. There are many versions of how the village got its name. One of them states that it was named so by a soldier of Alexander the Great who arrived here, another version states that it was named so because of the large production of almonds that existed in the past. An old fountain and the church of Agios Pavlos, 200 years old are among the interesting sights of the village. A Silk Cooperative is also active here, known for the beautiful traditional silk products produced by the women of the village.

Kastellos
A semi-mountainous village built at the foot of the White Mountains, on the top of a hill at an altitude of 252 m. Its name came from the steep location where it is built. Kastelos used to be in a lower position on the same hill, at the site of the settlement of Agathe (a very old settlement that is still inhabited), from where the inhabitants were forced to move in 1800, to avoid the Turks. A fierce battle took place near the village in 1835 between the inhabitants and the Turks, where 22 Turks and only one Greek were killed, a fact that caused the Turks to abandon the raids in the area. The inhabitants of the village were distinguished during the period of German occupation (1940-45), for their heroic resistance struggle.

Filaki
Filaki or Flaki is 50 km away from Chania and is located on the hills, above Georgioupolis. The village was named after the Turkish prisons and the Greek outposts that existed along the river Musela that flows through the village. This river was navigable and on its banks, there are still remains of watermills. Flaki has a long history: the Late Minoan tomb (1500 BC) found here, testifies to the age of the first settlement. The current settlement was built during the Venetian occupation and was the seat of the prefecture, in 1880. From this period the buildings of the Prison and the Court are preserved, with architectural interest. The area of ​​the village is literally surrounded by legends, told by the old inhabitants. Tales about fairies, mysterious voices, miracles, frame the old churches, caves, forests and paths of the area and make the tour even more interesting.

Kavros
Seaside settlement, whose name came from the homonymous river that passes through there and according to another version, from the many crabs that existed in this river and the surrounding rivers. It is the seat of the Municipality and is experiencing a huge tourist boom nowadays, but also in the past.

History

Historical data about the area appear from the Minoan era. Excavations have revealed a Minoan-style tomb in Kastellos and finds of places of worship in the “Korakia” cave. Archaeological sites have also been found in the areas south of the settlement of Georgioupolis where the ancient Amfimalla was located, east of the settlement of Dramia (ancient Hydramia or Hydramio). This ancient city was built on the hill of Kefala and was the port of the ancient city of Lappa (today’s Argyroupoli). Archaeological finds kept in the museum of Chania, show that the city existed during the Late Minoan or post-palace period (1580-1100 BC) and showed its greatest prosperity during the Roman period. Finally, in the settlement “Kavallos” north of the lake were found remains of Roman times, while on its shores is placed the existence of a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Korisia. During the Byzantine period the area was ruled by the noble family of Melissina. It seems that an important action in the area was developed during the 11th century by the monk Ioannis Xenos who founded the Monastery of Agios Georgios (Douvrika) in the area of ​​Dramia. Through his will, the monk gives valuable information regarding the development of viticulture, beekeeping and the planting of orchards in the area of ​​the river Musella. From the beginning of the 13th century, Crete came under the influence of the Venetians. The bibliography mentions the names of the settlements that existed then: Azogeromuri, Chrussopoli, Castelo, Mathe, Flachi, Dramia, Curna, Calamitsi Amigdalu. At that time the settlements that were in development were located in the mountains and in such places that have natural defense (hilltops). The bay of Almyros was an ideal place for a military landing, which is why the Venetians built a fort there. From the Sanctuary of Athena in Korisia, to the “infamous” straits of Almyros The fortress of Almyros, was the center of many assertive battles in the following centuries with the aim of conquering the area, until its destruction in 1821 by the Cretan revolutionaries. During their rule, the Turks built another fort with the stones of the ruins of this fortress, close to the previous one, to be demolished later. The area around the ruins of the two fortresses was named “Kastellakia” or “Paliokastella”. The infamous “Strait of Almyros” at the mouth of the river, became a refuge for robbers and smugglers and no passer-by escaped from their hands. In fact, it is said that there was a black market for the Turkish gold pound. The river was navigable and its estuary offered shelter in small sailboats, up to 500 meters from the sea, while to the north there was a cove where sailboats and small steamers docked. To the east, on a small island that today joins the mainland about a century ago, a sailor built the church of Agios Nikolaos, patron saint of seafood. In the south and west of this area, successive fortifications of the Turks and the revolutionaries, testify to the long history of the place. A city that emerged from the swamp. This is how a 19th century European traveler describes the area, which people left uncultivated for fear of robbers, resulting in the formation of a swamp, the source of a terrible malaria epidemic that decimated the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. In this desolation in 1880, a merchant from Athens arrives, who realizes the value of the area and decides to exploit the rich waters of the river for crops. Miltiadis Papadogiannakis, who was born in Kalamitsi, builds a house in “Kastellakia” and tries to convince the inhabitants of the surrounding villages and the authorities to help him drain the swamp and irrigate the fields. Alone, despite the adversity, he begins the work. Gradually the help that awaits comes and until 1893, the area attracts new inhabitants, the swamp dries up, Eucalyptus and hundreds of other trees are planted and a small town called Almyroupoli is inaugurated. In 1899, in honor of the arrival of Commissioner Prince George and the impending Union with Greece, Almyroupoli was renamed Georgioupolis. Later, it was designated as co-capital of the prefecture of Sfakion, with its founder, Miltiadis Papadogiannaki, as the first Mayor.

Geography

Geography

A set of villages built on the slopes of the White Mountains, at the mouth of the Almyros River and on the shore that crosses the bay, among vineyards, olive groves and forests. There, the visitor finds all the geomorphological features of the island, concentrated in a small area: mountain and plain, river, lake and sea, wildlife and arable land. Landscapes of unparalleled beauty, settlements that preserve the traditional Cretan element, but also residential areas with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, nightlife, modern hotel units with high quality services and easy access to any part of western Crete via the highway that connects the major cities. . In Georgioupolis every summer, almost all the residents are dedicated to the service of the visitors: the famous Cretan Hospitality, finds here its absolute transformation.

Sights

Sights

Georgioupolis
Seaside village that has evolved into a modern tourist resort. It is located 38 km southeast of Chania. It is built in a green area. Starting from Georgioupolis, you can visit many other nearby areas, which are distinguished for their natural beauty. On its beautiful beach, where the Almyros river flows, you can spend wonderful moments. We warn you that there are strong currents in the area, so be careful. Kournas The village

Kournas
It is 43 km from Chania and 20 km from Rethymno, turning south on the road located at the 41st km of the national road Chania – Rethymno. A large village, located at the foot of “Dafnomadara” (altitude 1680 m.) At an altitude of 200 m., In the fertile basin where the homonymous lake springs and three rivers flow. Kournas is a very old village that flourished as early as 1583 AD. Many historical battles have taken place in this area. Kournas was the seat of the Revolutionary Government in 1866 (during the Turkish occupation) and the seat of the General Assembly of the Cretans in 1897. However, there are many legends that connect the village with the lake (on the banks of which it is said to have been built before) but also with its old Byzantine churches such as Agios Georgios and Agia Irini. The cave of the village is also interesting, which is located in a panoramic position on the road to Kournas, in the place Keratide. The cave has a length of 35 m., A width of 24 m. And a height that reaches 2.85 m. And one can admire in it, rare speleological elements. In Patima is the church of Agios Theodoros, in which there is also a decorated tomb. In the village there are still ruins of Venetian buildings.

Lake of Kournas
The only natural lake in the whole Mediterranean and the southernmost lake in Europe. The lake is created by the obstruction of the groundwater, which descends from the volume of the White Mountains, from the impenetrable rocks and the bed of the natural pit. The lake is fed by the Amati spring to the south and drains through the “groove” to the river Delfina to the north. Its distance from the sea is 2.5 km. Its maximum length (N-N) is 1080 meters and its maximum width (N-D) is 880 meters. It occupies an area of ​​579 acres with a maximum depth of 22.5 meters (3.5 meters below sea level). The volume of water in summer amounts to about 7.5 million cubic meters. The area of ​​the lake is characterized as a tectonic fault that is flooded with water from the Amati spring (NNA end of the lake at a depth of 16.5 meters) due to the newogenic deposits that ensure its tightness. Just imagine a large pit that is supplied on one side with water due to the porosity of the soil while on the opposite side it is sealed due to the nature of the rocks. The lake has water escapes from its N and NW edges. In this section for decades there have been works of overflow and drainage of water to the cultivated areas and the sea. The level of the lake varies with the season. In summer and until autumn, the level is at the lowest level due to the reduction of the volume of groundwater from the mountains, while during the winter and spring, when the aquifers are fed, the level rises. The lake has been mentioned since ancient times as Korisia. In fact, it is believed that there was a sanctuary on the banks in honor of Athena Korisia. In Arabic, the word Kourna means bath and lake. So maybe the Arabs were the ones who renamed it from Korisia to Kourna. The dark waters of the lake impressed all visitors and residents as they considered the lake bottomless (fraud). In fact, travelers since the Middle Ages, reported with awe about the estimated depth of the lake.

The legend of the lake
Legend has it that at the site of the lake, there was a village (probably the ancient “Korion”). One day one of the villagers took his daughter to go to the fields. On the street they sat down to rest and the daughter started combing her blonde hair. Her father, while initially boasting about her, suddenly fell in love with her and threw her. The daughter in her despair shouted only “Voula and Voulolimna! And I am an element in the lake! ” Immediately the place sank and became the lake. In fact, the locals used to believe that those who see ghosts, see in the middle of the lake on a rock, a girl sitting and combing her golden hair.

Kalamitsi Amygdalou
Rural village, 31 km from Chania, built at an altitude of 140 m. There are many versions of how the village got its name. One of them states that it was named so by a soldier of Alexander the Great who arrived here, another version states that it was named so because of the large production of almonds that existed in the past. An old fountain and the church of Agios Pavlos, 200 years old are among the interesting sights of the village. A Silk Cooperative is also active here, known for the beautiful traditional silk products produced by the women of the village.

Kastellos
A semi-mountainous village built at the foot of the White Mountains, on the top of a hill at an altitude of 252 m. Its name came from the steep location where it is built. Kastelos used to be in a lower position on the same hill, at the site of the settlement of Agathe (a very old settlement that is still inhabited), from where the inhabitants were forced to move in 1800, to avoid the Turks. A fierce battle took place near the village in 1835 between the inhabitants and the Turks, where 22 Turks and only one Greek were killed, a fact that caused the Turks to abandon the raids in the area. The inhabitants of the village were distinguished during the period of German occupation (1940-45), for their heroic resistance struggle.

Filaki
Filaki or Flaki is 50 km away from Chania and is located on the hills, above Georgioupolis. The village was named after the Turkish prisons and the Greek outposts that existed along the river Musela that flows through the village. This river was navigable and on its banks, there are still remains of watermills. Flaki has a long history: the Late Minoan tomb (1500 BC) found here, testifies to the age of the first settlement. The current settlement was built during the Venetian occupation and was the seat of the prefecture, in 1880. From this period the buildings of the Prison and the Court are preserved, with architectural interest. The area of ​​the village is literally surrounded by legends, told by the old inhabitants. Tales about fairies, mysterious voices, miracles, frame the old churches, caves, forests and paths of the area and make the tour even more interesting.

Kavros
Seaside settlement, whose name came from the homonymous river that passes through there and according to another version, from the many crabs that existed in this river and the surrounding rivers. It is the seat of the Municipality and is experiencing a huge tourist boom nowadays, but also in the past.

History

History

Historical data about the area appear from the Minoan era. Excavations have revealed a Minoan-style tomb in Kastellos and finds of places of worship in the “Korakia” cave. Archaeological sites have also been found in the areas south of the settlement of Georgioupolis where the ancient Amfimalla was located, east of the settlement of Dramia (ancient Hydramia or Hydramio). This ancient city was built on the hill of Kefala and was the port of the ancient city of Lappa (today’s Argyroupoli). Archaeological finds kept in the museum of Chania, show that the city existed during the Late Minoan or post-palace period (1580-1100 BC) and showed its greatest prosperity during the Roman period. Finally, in the settlement “Kavallos” north of the lake were found remains of Roman times, while on its shores is placed the existence of a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Korisia. During the Byzantine period the area was ruled by the noble family of Melissina. It seems that an important action in the area was developed during the 11th century by the monk Ioannis Xenos who founded the Monastery of Agios Georgios (Douvrika) in the area of ​​Dramia. Through his will, the monk gives valuable information regarding the development of viticulture, beekeeping and the planting of orchards in the area of ​​the river Musella. From the beginning of the 13th century, Crete came under the influence of the Venetians. The bibliography mentions the names of the settlements that existed then: Azogeromuri, Chrussopoli, Castelo, Mathe, Flachi, Dramia, Curna, Calamitsi Amigdalu. At that time the settlements that were in development were located in the mountains and in such places that have natural defense (hilltops). The bay of Almyros was an ideal place for a military landing, which is why the Venetians built a fort there. From the Sanctuary of Athena in Korisia, to the “infamous” straits of Almyros The fortress of Almyros, was the center of many assertive battles in the following centuries with the aim of conquering the area, until its destruction in 1821 by the Cretan revolutionaries. During their rule, the Turks built another fort with the stones of the ruins of this fortress, close to the previous one, to be demolished later. The area around the ruins of the two fortresses was named “Kastellakia” or “Paliokastella”. The infamous “Strait of Almyros” at the mouth of the river, became a refuge for robbers and smugglers and no passer-by escaped from their hands. In fact, it is said that there was a black market for the Turkish gold pound. The river was navigable and its estuary offered shelter in small sailboats, up to 500 meters from the sea, while to the north there was a cove where sailboats and small steamers docked. To the east, on a small island that today joins the mainland about a century ago, a sailor built the church of Agios Nikolaos, patron saint of seafood. In the south and west of this area, successive fortifications of the Turks and the revolutionaries, testify to the long history of the place. A city that emerged from the swamp. This is how a 19th century European traveler describes the area, which people left uncultivated for fear of robbers, resulting in the formation of a swamp, the source of a terrible malaria epidemic that decimated the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. In this desolation in 1880, a merchant from Athens arrives, who realizes the value of the area and decides to exploit the rich waters of the river for crops. Miltiadis Papadogiannakis, who was born in Kalamitsi, builds a house in “Kastellakia” and tries to convince the inhabitants of the surrounding villages and the authorities to help him drain the swamp and irrigate the fields. Alone, despite the adversity, he begins the work. Gradually the help that awaits comes and until 1893, the area attracts new inhabitants, the swamp dries up, Eucalyptus and hundreds of other trees are planted and a small town called Almyroupoli is inaugurated. In 1899, in honor of the arrival of Commissioner Prince George and the impending Union with Greece, Almyroupoli was renamed Georgioupolis. Later, it was designated as co-capital of the prefecture of Sfakion, with its founder, Miltiadis Papadogiannaki, as the first Mayor.