Chania Frangokastello

General information

Frangokastello is one of Crete’s most intriguing villages. It is situated 60 kilometers to the southeast of Chania town, on a coastal plain, surrounded by beautiful mountains, where an old Venetian Fortress of the same name stands. The castle’s location, far away from any population centers, seems peculiar, but it was strategically chosen as it is directly across the sea from the island of Gavdos, and the area was frequently targeted by pirate raids in the past. A secondary aim of this castle was to keep the rebellious locals of Sfakia in check.

A small settlement developed near the castle, but its secluded location didn’t allow it to grow to any significant size. These days the village is sparsely populated, with most of the area being taken up by agricultural fields.
Some restaurants can be found around the castle, as well as accommodations, with tourism in the area being on the rise.
The bay south of the castle is home to the idyllic sandy Frangokastello Beach, with its sheltered location and shallow waters offering an ideal swim for families, under the watchful eye of the castle. Further to the west lies a pebbly beach with a rocky seafloor, often visited by snorkelers, while to the east the sand dunes of Orthi Ammos offer a truly unique beachside experience.
The area to the west of Frangokastello is also a treat to visit in the early spring, as it turns into an unusual, marsh-like wetland, a sight otherwise hard to come by in Crete.

The castle is said to be haunted by the Drosoulites, ghosts of fallen Greek revolutionaries from 1828, who occasionally appear at sunrise during the final days of May, and only under perfect weather conditions. However, the castle itself stands as a great attraction, due to its very well-preserved architecture, in contrast to most Venetian fortifications in Crete, whose walls have at least partially been destroyed.
To the east of the castle stands St. Charalambos, a now-abandoned monastery with eye-catching contrast in its architecture. The katholikon, or main temple, is consecrated to both St. Charalambos and John the Evangelist, featuring not only two aisles, but two entrances. Its white-painted walls and red ceramic roof are surrounded by plain and bare rock walls, which once housed the monks’ cells, and also form a courtyard around the church which functions as a cemetery.
Frangokastello is also the location of a chapel dedicated to St. Nikitas and the remains of a chapel of the Archangel Michael (known locally as Astratigos).