General Information of the Municipal Unit of Kissamos

However, the ancient cities of Polyrrinia, Falassarna, Mithymna and Rokka around Kastelli also offer the visitor opportunities for travel in History. In Polyrrenia part of its walls, carved houses and tombs are preserved today as well as a temple with a huge altar, ruins of Roman times and a majestic aqueduct, work of Hadrian, while in Falassarna are preserved foundations of houses, part of the citadel, part of a stone throne and port. Starting from Kissamos, it is worth passing through the medieval village of Kalyviani, from “Mari to the well” and “Tersanas”. Also, to ascend to Agia Irini and descend to the lagoon of Balos and Tigani, but also to tour the island of Gramvousa, which was a stronghold of pirates, played an important role during the Turkish occupation and the Venetians built in 1584, an imposing castle. Finally, the area has many places that one can visit and admire its natural beauty, but also enjoy its swimming, such as the Black Pier, Customs, Meadows, the shores of Platanos, Sfinari and Viggli. For those who love hiking, the beautiful gorges of Sirikari, Rokka and Topolia with the imposing cave of Agia Sofia, offer unique moments of tranquility and contact with the natural environment. In Kissamos: The ruins of the ancient city of Kissamos, finds from Roman times, specimens of Venetian rule, such as preserved parts of the Venetian fortress, the old Venetian command, the Fountain of Mary, the churches of Agios Ioannis Damialis built in a cave and of Agios Spyridon, the clean beaches. In Gramvousa: The uniquely beautiful cape of Gramvousa, with the lagoon of Balos and the Venetian fortress on the island of Gramvousa, also the Monastery of Panagia in Tylifos (15th century). In Polyrrenia: The castle and the ancient city of Polyrrenia with the temple of Artemis, the church of the Holy Fathers. In Sirikari: The gorge of Sirikari that starts from the chestnut forest in Marouliana and ends in Polyrrinia, with a length of about 20 km, the temples of Agios Apostolos (15th century) and Panagia. In Lousakies: The gorge of Manganistra, starts south of Lousakies and ends in the formerly inhabited district of Pateriana, with a length of about 5 km, the temples of Agios Polykarpos (11th century), Panagia Zachariana (13th century) and Agia Varvara (cave). In Kalathenes: The Rotunda, a remarkable example of Venetian architecture (17th century). In Koukounara: The church of Agios Georgios (14th century). In Platanos: The Kavousi district with the Venetian buildings and the church of Ai Kyr Giannis (13th & 14th century), the church of Agios Fotios (cave) and the olive groves in the plain of Platanos. An unforgettable experience would be a swim in the crystal clear sea of ​​Falassarna, where the sunset enchants people of all ages.

Kissamos
In the center of the homonymous bay, Kissamos is a small town 42km. west of Chania, in the middle of a fertile area with olive groves and vineyards. Originally built a short distance from the sea, Kissamos has now extended to the coast, while it is the “gate” of western Crete, as it is the mandatory passage to all destinations in the region. Its name comes from the homonymous pre-Greek settlement in the same location, which is mentioned by Pliny and Ptolemy. Ancient Kissamos was the port of Doric Polyrhenia, 7km. to the South, but at the same time was an autonomous state with its own currency, which carried the bust of Mercury (protector of trade) on one side and the image of a dolphin on the other. The dolphin continues to be the emblem of the city today. The port of ancient Kissamos was located west of the modern city, in the current location of Mavros Molos. Kissamos flourished mainly during Roman times – an era from which the ruins of baths, cemeteries, as well as mosaic floors of the 2nd and 3rd centuries are preserved – and the first Byzantine period. During the Venetian occupation due to its strategic location, the fortress Castel Chissamo was built, from which the town took its newest name, Castelli. The fortress was destroyed during the invasion of the corsair Barbarossa in 1536 and was rebuilt by the Venetians (1579-1582) in the shape of a pentagon, with a church, barracks and a well. The Turks occupied it in 1646 and in the following years it was defeated sometimes by the Cretan revolutionaries and sometimes by the Turks. The fortress was destroyed during the bombing of World War II, leaving only parts of the walls and remains of buildings of the Turkish period.

Platanos
With 1,126 inhabitants, the community of Platanos is the second largest in the Municipality of Kissamos and apart from the homonymous Kefalochori includes the villages of Falasarna, Kavousi, Limeniskos, Sfinari and Ano Sfinari. At a distance of 10km. southwest of Kissamos, the Mediterranean village of Platanos is characterized by abundant water and the large plane tree in the old square, from which it is said that it took its name. It is a small road junction, from where the roads to Falasarna to the north, to Sfinari and the villages of the Municipality of Innachori to the south start. (Attention: in Platanos is the last gas station for your trips to the southwest of the Prefecture of Chania and to the Gramvousa peninsula or the Korykos peninsula). At a distance of 9km. northwest of Platanos, or 16km. from Kissamos, is the settlement of Falasarna, the westernmost village of Crete, built at the neck of the Gramvousa peninsula. The name “Falasarna” comes from the nymph Falasarni and is pre-Greek, although at the site there are only finds from later years. Ancient Falassarna was the port of Polyrrhenia, but due to the geological evolution of Crete today it is located on land. Modern Falassarna is a small coastal settlement and the main occupation of its inhabitants is the production of early vegetables and tourism. The village of Sfinari, 9km. south of Platanos, is built at the foot of a green hill, where there are abundant springs. At a distance of 300m. from the village is the homonymous beach, with trees next to the coast. Dolphins often appear in the bay, while on the rocks, at the edge of the beach, seals come to give birth.

Polyrinia
The capital of the homonymous community and formerly known as Ano Paleokastro, is located at a distance of 6.5 km. south of Kissamos and 49km. southwest of Chania. It is the center of the settlements of Kato Paleokastro and Grigoriana. A small village of about 100 inhabitants, it is built at the foot of a hill a short distance from the ancient Polyrrinia (= city with many flocks), from which it acquired its current name. Many of the village buildings incorporate materials from the ancient city, with the most obvious example being the ruins of the old oil mill opposite the Community offices, which was built of stone from the Roman aqueduct and two columns taken from the ancient palace and its temple. Diktynnis Artemis. In Polyrrineia there is also a small church of the Assumption of the Virgin with valuable icons. Built inside the rock, it was used during the Turkish occupation as a secret school.

Gramvousa
The community of Gramvousa, west of Kissamos, includes the entire rocky peninsula of Korykos (also known as the peninsula of Gramvousa), where Mount Geroskinos dominates (762 m.), And the two desert islands of Imeri Gramvousa and Agria Gramvousa. The village of Gramvousa is at a distance of 8 km. southwest of Kissamos, following the road to Platanos. With 131 inhabitants, it is the capital of the community, which also includes the settlements of Agios Georgios, Azogyra, Zerviana, Kaliviani, Karefiliana, Neo Chorio, Piperiana, Trachilos and Fournados. Here are the winery facilities of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kissamos. The village of Kaliviani, 8km. northwest of Kissamos, has retained its picturesqueness, as even today the houses are built of stone by craftsmen who follow their traditional way of construction. It is the starting point of a passable dirt road that leads to the peninsula of Gramvousa (or Korykou), following for 9.5km. coast on its east side and continues with a path that ends at the lagoon of Balos on its northwest side. In the middle of the route is the chapel of Agia Irini, built next to a natural spring. The lagoon of Balos and the homonymous beach, with white fine sand and shallow waters, are enclosed by Cape Tigani to the west and the extension of the Gramvousa peninsula to the east. In summer there is a small tavern in Balos. Finally, north of Balos and on the east side of Cape Vouxa, the ruins of the Roman city of Agneio are preserved, as well as a temple dedicated to the god Apollo. Northwest of Balos, are the two islands of Gramvousa and, when the atmosphere is clear, Antikythera. On the desert island of Imeri Gramvousa and on a steep rock 137m high, the ruins of a Venetian fortress are preserved. It was originally built in the years 1579-1582, but was destroyed by lightning that fell in its powder magazine in 1588. It was rebuilt in 1630. Its natural fortification contributed to its invincibility and to remain, together with the castles of Sitia and Spinalonga, one of the three fortresses under Venetian occupation after the conquest of Crete by the Turks. However, the fortress fell to the Ottomans in 1692 due to the bribery of the Venetian commander. Imeri Gramvousa, was in 1825 the first area of ​​Megalonisos that was liberated from the Ottoman yoke, when Cretans, pretending to be the new guard, entered the castle and occupied it. The desert island of Agria Gramvousa, where strong winds often prevail and the steep cliffs turn bronze at sunset, according to one version, is the island of Aeolus, which Homer describes in the Odyssey as “surrounded by impenetrable bronze”. The origin of the official name of the peninsula (Korykos, meaning leather bag) is explained by the legend according to which Aeolus tamed the winds and encircled everyone, except Zephyrus, in a bag to help Odysseus return to Ithaca.

Kalathenes
Built at an altitude of 280m., The village of Kalathenes is 13 km away. southeast of Kissamos and 50km, southwest of Chania. It has 290 inhabitants, who are engaged in the production of olive oil, wine, dairy products and cypress wood. In the village there is the Rotonda, a Venetian noble mansion, which was built with an original architectural style in the 16th century. In Kalathenes there is also a women’s cooperative that produces traditional textile items. From the village one can go by road to Topolia, at a distance of 3km. to the East.

Kalergana
Former Kato Paleokastro, a name with which it is mentioned since 1577, the village of Kallergianon is built at an altitude of 100m. and is located at a distance of 1.5 km. south of Kissamos. A small settlement of 63 inhabitants in a fertile valley, Kallergiana is the capital of the homonymous community, which also includes Agios Antonios, Vardiana, Dafni, Kampos and Marediana.

Lousakies
The seat of the homonymous community, the village of Lousakies is built amphitheatrically at the top of a 9km hill. south of Kissamos and 51km. west of Chania, with panoramic views of Kissamos Bay. The community also includes the settlements of Galouva, Zacharian, Merada, Metochi and Fterolaka. In the cemetery of Lousakion there is the Byzantine Church of Saints Polykarpos, Charalambous and Nikolaos, with a cruciform shape and a cylindrical dome in the center, while in the settlement of Zacharian, 1km. west of Lousakies, is the Byzantine Church of Panagia, which dates from the 10th century.

Sirikari
At a distance of 22km. south of Kissamos, is the village of Sirikari, seat of the homonymous community, which includes the settlements of Kioliana, Sineniana and Kostogiannides. Built at an altitude of 500m. Sirikari has 53 inhabitants, while its name probably comes from the Byzantine profession of sirikari, creator of serikari, ie silk fabrics. From