Chania Voukolies

More about Voukolies

Slightly to the north of Voukolies, opposite the settlement of Nebros, in the midst of olive groves and orange orchards, one can come across a church dedicated to Saint Constantine. This church dates to between 1452 and 1461, with its belfry being added in 1645. Although it can be hard to find, it’s worth it for its frescos, parts of which are preserved in good condition. To get there, one must follow the riverside path northwards, past the old water mill, turning left at the second dirt road intersecting with the path.

At the other end of the village, one comes across the Tower of Voukolies. This tower was part of the fortifications built by the Ottomans to guard the village below and its Muslim inhabitants during the 1866-69 rebellion that took place in Crete and is most notable as the site of the Battle of Voukolies on February 7th, 1897. Following months of Cretan rebellious activity, Greek forces, led by Timoleon Vassos, landed on the island in an attempt to bolster the revolution and push for the annexation of Crete. As their position at Kolimbari was threatened by the Ottoman garrison housed here, they besieged it, killing 240 out of the 400 men defending the fort, which was destroyed in the process, with a smaller turret being built on the site to commemorate what was the first engagement of Greek forces on Crete.