General Information of the Municipal Unit of Nea Kydonia

The Municipal Unit of Nea Kydonia is located in the north of the prefecture of Chania. This is a coastal D. unit which, according to the 2001 census, has a total of 7,301 inhabitants and an area of 21,457 acres. The Municipal Unit includes 4 municipal districts: Daratsou, Ag. Marina, Galata, Stalou. It is a seaside, with 12.5 km of beaches, the municipal unit is touristy with many locals and foreign visitors. Throughout its northern area, there are tourist accommodations of all categories. The historical and cultural heritage of the area is also rich. Every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Galata, one of the greatest battles of World War II, historical and cultural events take place, with the participation of veterans and official delegations of the participating countries (Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia). The events take place both in the monumental complex, ie in the place where the battle took place, and in Galatas Square, where the Museum of the Battle of Crete is located. Other important events are the festival of Agios Theodoros (island), which takes place every year on the island of the same name, and visitors go to it by boat chartered specifically for this purpose by the D. unit, but also the festival in the church of Agios Of the Apostles. The lily of the sea (Pancratium maritimum) grows here, which grows mainly on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its flowers are characterized by their large size, its distinctive aroma and the beautiful appearance created by the white color of its petals in combination with the sweet color of its long lanceolate leaves. Sea lilies usually bloom from July to October, depending on the temperatures that preceded the flowering period. The lily had impressed the ancient Greek artists, as evidenced by the excellent mural depiction in the “house of women”, in Akrotiri of Thira. The plant has been designated by the Council of Europe as a rare and endangered species, since due to tourism development or impunity it has disappeared from the Aegean beaches, presenting significant populations only on some Cretan beaches. The Municipal Unit of Nea Kydonia, has banned the cleaning in any way of these areas where the sea lily grows, not only to avoid disturbing the sensitive sandy soil where it grows, but also to avoid possible collection and removal of its seed. Its cutting has also been banned. On the beaches of the W. unit of Nea Kydonia, the sea turtle caretta – caretta (Caretta caretta) reproduces. Other great spawning beaches for this species of turtle in our country are found in the bay of Laganas (in Zakynthos), in the gulf of Kyparissia, in the gulf of Laconia, and in Rethymno. The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) appeared on Earth tens of millions of years ago. It is the only species of sea turtle that breeds in Greece, where its most important habitats are located in the Mediterranean. But for the first time in millions of years, the caretta – caretta, is threatened with extinction … A fossil of a 180 million year old sea turtle has been found, named Archelon the strong and has a length of four (4) meters. It is worth mentioning that sea turtles were known to the ancient Greeks. The first coins minted in Aegina (700 – 404 BC), depicted on one side a sea turtle, probably of the species Caretta-caretta. Caretta – Caretta, is a reptile that has adapted biologically to the marine environment. But it depends entirely on the land for its perpetuation, since there completes its biological cycle, with spawning, hatching, and the subsequent entry of chicks into the sea. Like other species of sea turtles, the loggerhead turtle breathes through the lungs. Its skin is covered with scales, while its shell consists of horny plates. The Mediterranean Caretta – Caretta, weighs about 90 kg and its length is up to one meter. It feeds on marine plants and invertebrates and is special, it is its preference for warblers. The female Caretta caretta, having reached sexual maturity at the age of about thirty, return every two or three years to the place where they were born to lay their eggs. They prefer sandy beaches with gentle slopes and without obstacles, where the sand has the appropriate characteristics of texture and size and meets the conditions of temperature and humidity, which are necessary for hatching. They give birth in the summer months, going out two to four times on the beach, late at night. On the road to Kissamos, at a distance of 5 km west of the city of Chania, we meet in turn the areas Germaniko Pouli, Agioi Apostoli, Chrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki and Ag. Marina. The first

Geography

Sights

AGIOI APOSTOLOI – KALAMAKI

Agioi Apostoloi, is an area of about 600 acres consisting of 4 coves, 3 peninsulas and a beautiful grove which is offered for recreation, while during the summer months, it hosts a number of cultural and sporting events. Every year, numerous sports events are held at the football, beach volley and racket courts of the Municipal Unit, as well as theatrical performances by local and Athenian theatrical groups. , is an ideal place to admire the endless blue of the sea and the sunset, while in the summer months it is especially loved for romantic wedding ceremonies. Kalamaki beach also has a number of hotels and restaurants, which extend on the sandy beach. The port of Kalamaki, makes its access possible even from the sea. If you do not have a car, the frequent bus routes make it quite easy to get to these beaches.

DARATSOS

Daratsos is located west of Chania, just 4 km from the center, next to Chrysi Akti and Agioi Apostoloi. It is a tourist area and is an attraction for locals in the summer. The area is divided geographically into Ano Daratso and Kato Daratso.

GALATAS

Continuation of Daratso, at a distance of six kilometers from the city of Chania, is Kato Galatas. The cosmopolitan Kalamaki and the much-sung by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis Limanaki of Kato Galata, adorn the area. Hotels, apartments, rooms, shops and clean beaches offer you a pleasant vacation. At a distance of one kilometer and at an altitude of 90 meters, is the historic Pano Galatas. Galatas was built in 961 AD. by five Byzantine families, on the ruins of ancient settlements. Due to its strategic location, it has always been a battleground with the conquerors. In the historic battle of 1941 in Crete, during World War II, the resistance of Galatas played a very important role. On May 25, the Germans occupy Galata, which is recaptured in the evening by Greek units.

STALOS

Stalos is located west of the city of Chania on the north coast of Crete, after the area of Kalamaki and before Agia Marina. It is a village and community of the province of Kydonia, at an altitude of 0m. (Kato Stalos), up to 150m. (Pano Stalos). It is 7.5 km from Chania, with a fork on the left at 6.5 km of the road to Kissamos. It is a tourist area with many accommodation and food businesses, but also several nightclubs that attract locals and visitors to Chania, especially in summer. 1834: Referred to in the Egyptian census as Stalo, (Pashley, Travels in Crete, II, 310) with 12 Christian families. 1881: refers to Stalos, in the municipality of Perivolia, inhabitants Christians 124 1900: belongs to the same municipality inhabitants 217 1920: in the municipality of Chania inhabitants 233 1928: inhabitants 264 1940: seat of the homonymous community, inhabitants 332 1951: inhabitants 307 1961: inhabitants 224 209 1981: inhabitants 174 From the historical and sights of the area the two old Churches of Ag. John the Theologian and the Evangelism, the Transfiguration (built around 1920), St. Panteleimon, (1960), Profitis Ilias, Agios Georgios etc. The historical sites of Stalos are many and marked by the various events that took place in the area. On the hill of Monokoumiros, in the battles of 1897, with the descent of the Greek Army under Timoleontas Vassos in the deadly battle, the Infantry Lieutenant Dimitris Trigettas from Athens was killed (on Chania Street in Nea Chora, he has his name in G and another) . In the Battle of Crete 1941-45, Stalos, together with the rest of Crete, gave his presence with self-denial and self-sacrifice. Residents who live today, narrate images and scenes of horror they lived, such as the execution of their villager (the late Hatzimanolakis) that took place in the sanctuary of the church of Metamorphosis on the grounds that he was found in the house of a useless old telephone, which he used for information on the Middle East. Also, narrations of their villagers are narrated “in Skoula to Metochi” in Agyia, as well as the inhuman chores to live the men in a cart loaded with ammunition with an order to transport them to Souda, Agia, Chania, etc. Today, in the area of Stalos, the traditional customs and festivals dominate, with special emphasis on the celebration of the Annunciation on March 25.

AGIA MARINA

This seaside village is located 9 km west of the city of Chania. It took its name from the homonymous church located there. It is distinguished for its tourist development and for its wonderful beaches. Apart from the homonymous sandy beach of Agia Marina, you can also swim in the small beaches of the nearby settlements of Kato Stalos and Platanias. An important attraction of the area is Nerospilia, with its magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, which were used by the ancients as a place of worship. Opposite Agia Marina, is the islet of Agios Theodoros or Thodoros, which has been characterized as a protected ecological system. It is a refuge for the Cretan chamois (kri-kri), as well as for the rare species of flora and fauna. On this island, the festival of Agios Theodoros takes place every year, and the visitors arrive there, with boats chartered by the D. unit for this purpose.

Geography: Geography
Sights: Sights

AGIOI APOSTOLOI – KALAMAKI

Agioi Apostoloi, is an area of about 600 acres consisting of 4 coves, 3 peninsulas and a beautiful grove which is offered for recreation, while during the summer months, it hosts a number of cultural and sporting events. Every year, numerous sports events are held at the football, beach volley and racket courts of the Municipal Unit, as well as theatrical performances by local and Athenian theatrical groups. , is an ideal place to admire the endless blue of the sea and the sunset, while in the summer months it is especially loved for romantic wedding ceremonies. Kalamaki beach also has a number of hotels and restaurants, which extend on the sandy beach. The port of Kalamaki, makes its access possible even from the sea. If you do not have a car, the frequent bus routes make it quite easy to get to these beaches.

DARATSOS

Daratsos is located west of Chania, just 4 km from the center, next to Chrysi Akti and Agioi Apostoloi. It is a tourist area and is an attraction for locals in the summer. The area is divided geographically into Ano Daratso and Kato Daratso.

GALATAS

Continuation of Daratso, at a distance of six kilometers from the city of Chania, is Kato Galatas. The cosmopolitan Kalamaki and the much-sung by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis Limanaki of Kato Galata, adorn the area. Hotels, apartments, rooms, shops and clean beaches offer you a pleasant vacation. At a distance of one kilometer and at an altitude of 90 meters, is the historic Pano Galatas. Galatas was built in 961 AD. by five Byzantine families, on the ruins of ancient settlements. Due to its strategic location, it has always been a battleground with the conquerors. In the historic battle of 1941 in Crete, during World War II, the resistance of Galatas played a very important role. On May 25, the Germans occupy Galata, which is recaptured in the evening by Greek units.

STALOS

Stalos is located west of the city of Chania on the north coast of Crete, after the area of Kalamaki and before Agia Marina. It is a village and community of the province of Kydonia, at an altitude of 0m. (Kato Stalos), up to 150m. (Pano Stalos). It is 7.5 km from Chania, with a fork on the left at 6.5 km of the road to Kissamos. It is a tourist area with many accommodation and food businesses, but also several nightclubs that attract locals and visitors to Chania, especially in summer. 1834: Referred to in the Egyptian census as Stalo, (Pashley, Travels in Crete, II, 310) with 12 Christian families. 1881: refers to Stalos, in the municipality of Perivolia, inhabitants Christians 124 1900: belongs to the same municipality inhabitants 217 1920: in the municipality of Chania inhabitants 233 1928: inhabitants 264 1940: seat of the homonymous community, inhabitants 332 1951: inhabitants 307 1961: inhabitants 224 209 1981: inhabitants 174 From the historical and sights of the area the two old Churches of Ag. John the Theologian and the Evangelism, the Transfiguration (built around 1920), St. Panteleimon, (1960), Profitis Ilias, Agios Georgios etc. The historical sites of Stalos are many and marked by the various events that took place in the area. On the hill of Monokoumiros, in the battles of 1897, with the descent of the Greek Army under Timoleontas Vassos in the deadly battle, the Infantry Lieutenant Dimitris Trigettas from Athens was killed (on Chania Street in Nea Chora, he has his name in G and another) . In the Battle of Crete 1941-45, Stalos, together with the rest of Crete, gave his presence with self-denial and self-sacrifice. Residents who live today, narrate images and scenes of horror they lived, such as the execution of their villager (the late Hatzimanolakis) that took place in the sanctuary of the church of Metamorphosis on the grounds that he was found in the house of a useless old telephone, which he used for information on the Middle East. Also, narrations of their villagers are narrated “in Skoula to Metochi” in Agyia, as well as the inhuman chores to live the men in a cart loaded with ammunition with an order to transport them to Souda, Agia, Chania, etc. Today, in the area of Stalos, the traditional customs and festivals dominate, with special emphasis on the celebration of the Annunciation on March 25.

AGIA MARINA

This seaside village is located 9 km west of the city of Chania. It took its name from the homonymous church located there. It is distinguished for its tourist development and for its wonderful beaches. Apart from the homonymous sandy beach of Agia Marina, you can also swim in the small beaches of the nearby settlements of Kato Stalos and Platanias. An important attraction of the area is Nerospilia, with its magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, which were used by the ancients as a place of worship. Opposite Agia Marina, is the islet of Agios Theodoros or Thodoros, which has been characterized as a protected ecological system. It is a refuge for the Cretan chamois (kri-kri), as well as for the rare species of flora and fauna. On this island, the festival of Agios Theodoros takes place every year, and the visitors arrive there, with boats chartered by the D. unit for this purpose.

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