The region of Sfakia - a photo gallery - Page 1

The region of Sfakia extends approximately from Agia Roumeli (and even further to the West) to Frangokastello (and a littlebeyond) along the South coast of Crete. To the North it encompasses most of the central Lefka Ori or White Mountains.
Sfakia is one of the last unspoilt areas of Crete and its inhabitants are fiercely independent and traditional. Most visitors to Crete know only the coastal areas of the region (Agia Roumeli, Loutro and Hora Sfakion) but the region consists mainly of mountainous areas and high plateaus and the Sfakians feel much more at home high up than by the sea.

This gallery doesn't include many photos of the mountains as you can see those in other sections of the site such as The White Mountains in summer and the White Mountains in winter.

This first page starts with the villages of Anopolis and Aradena.

 

Click on images to enlarge. Use the ► and ◄ to move forward or back or click again to close

 

  • A field of anemones on the way to the chapel of Agia Ekaterini in Anopolis. It is early spring with snow stil covering the South facing slopes of the White Mountains above 2000m
  • Spring flowers by the chapel of Agia Ekaterini in Anopolis
  • A field of anemones on the way to the chapel of Agia Ekaterini in Anopolis. It is early spring with snow stil covering the South facing slopes of the White Mountains above 2000m
  • A field of anemones on the way to the chapel of Agia Ekaterini in Anopolis. It is late spring and only a few patches of snow are left on the South facing slopes of the White Mountains
  • View of the mountains from the small fort on the hill above Anopolis
  • View of the area of Anopolis from the hill to the South of the village
  • View of the chapel of Agia Ekaterini (Saint Kathrin) on the hill to the South of Anopolis. To the right is a small fortified watch tower with a cistern built in its floor
  • View of the mountains from the hill where the chapel of Agia Ekaterini and the fort are located
  • View of the chapel of Agia Ekaterini (Saint Kathrin) on the hill to the South of Anopolis
  • View towards the East from the chapel of Agia Ekaterini. In the foreground youcan see the old footpath zig-zagging down towards Loutro
  • The village of Anopolis photographed from the mountains higher up. Note the chapel of Agia Ekaterini and the small fort clearly visible on the ridge.
  • Statue of Daskalogiannis in Anopolis
  • Daskalogiannis (Teacher Giannis) was born in Anopolis and lead an uprising against the Turks in 1770. The uprising failed and he surrendered to the Turks in order to stop the destruction of the region of Sfakia. He was executed on the 17th of June 1771 in the square at the eastern gate of Heraklion by skinning him alive
  • Platanos Café, Restaurant and Rooms for rent is located right opposite the statue of Daskalogiannis and within shouting distance of the school, the church and its cemetery and the town hall, the way all good cafés on any self-respecting village square should be
  • The bridge that spans the gorge of Aradena. The bayley bridge was a gift from the Vardinogiannis brothers in 1986.
  • A beautiful 14th century church located on the edge of the gorge of Aradena. The church has beautiful frescoes but is generally kept locked
  • A beautiful 14th century church located on the edge of the gorge of Aradena. The church has beautiful frescoes but is generally kept locked
  • A beautiful 14th century church located on the edge of the gorge of Aradena. The church has beautiful frescoes but is generally kept locked
  • The old path crossing the gorge of Aradena. There are several paths crossing the gorge at different points but this is the main one. It is very well built, very ancient (thousands of years) and well worth a walk on it even if now you can cross easily using the bridge. This type of paved path is often referred to as "kalderimi' (plural 'kalderimia') which is derived from the Turkish word 'kalderim' which not unsurprisingly means 'path'.
  • The old path crossing the gorge of Aradena. There are several paths crossing the gorge at different points but this is the main one. It is very well built, very ancient (thousands of years) and well worth a walk on it even if now you can cross easily using the bridge. This type of paved path is often referred to as "kalderimi' (plural 'kalderimia') which is derived from the Turkish word 'kalderim' which not unsurprisingly means 'path'.
  • A beautiful 14th century church located on the edge of the gorge of Aradena. The church has beautiful frescoes but is generally kept locked
  • The ancient path crossing the gorge at the village of Aradena. Extremely well-built and still in an excellent state of preservation
  • The ancient path crossing the gorge at the village of Aradena. Extremely well-built and still in an excellent state of preservation
  • The ancient path crossing the gorge at the village of Aradena. Extremely well-built and still in an excellent state of preservation
  • The arch of a ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • The White Mountains seen through the arch of a ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • The window of a ruined house in the village of Aradena
  • The windows of a ruined house in the village of Aradena
  • The staircase of a ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • The staircase of a ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • The White Mountains seen through the arch of a ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • Remains of an olive press in a ruined house in Aradena
  • Remains of an olive press in a ruined house in Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
  • A ruined house in the abandoned village of Aradena
 

Go to Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3

 

Crete photo of the day
Crete Photo of the Day

 

© west-crete.com 1999 - 2024  | EMAIL