Kantanos

Situated 61 kilometers far from Chania, at the Southwest, Kantanos is a historic village, now counting some 564 permanent residents.

The village is built in an area full of olive trees, which makes the environment very mild and scenic. It still keeps its very ancient name. Some suggest that it is Pre-Hellenic which means “the town of victory” and it has been active enough both in the Byzantine times and during the Venetian domination. As occurs with many other villages in the island, Kantanos participated to all the revolts against the Ottomans; following this independent spirit it resisted strongly to the German occupation during the World War II, which resulted to a total destruction of the village. Today, the visitor can see a few commemorative stones raised by the Germans to remind this fact.

Kantanos has several Byzantine churches dating back to the 13th – 15th centuries, which are worth seeing, both for their architecture and for their icons.

A series of cultural activities in the memory of the Battle of Crete during the World War II take place in May.

Accommodation facilities are restricted to few rooms to rent. There are some taverns and cafes available for food and drink.

Access to the village is possible by public bus and rented or private car and motorbikes.