Anopoli

The plateau of the village, at an altitude of 600m. Access is from Chora Sfakia winding road 13km., Who climbs the steep mountains and offers breathtaking views of the rugged landscape and of the sea. The village is located near the site of ancient Anopoli, whose port was the Phoenicians Katopoli, the current bath. The ruins of ancient Anopoli, located on the hill of St. Catherine, to the west and southwest of the current namesake village. From this position, ensure full supervision of large areas of land, and the Libyan Sea. Its port, ensure maritime communication between East and West, as a stopover.

Anopoli was an independent city and had its own currency. Sources say that the 3rd century. B.C. occupied by neighboring Aradin and released from the Charmada, citizen Anopoleos. In this period dating perhaps the first phase of its walls. The 230 to 210 BC identifies a list of cities that sent it to Delphi. The Anopolis with Aradena and Pikilassos, are among the cities that have signed the treaty of alliance of 30 Cretan cities with Eumenes II of Pergamon in 183 BC The settlement survived Root Pelasgian walls that Pashley observed in the length of 300 steps, 6-step thickness and height 5-11 feet.

Anopoli was famous in Hellenistic times and it flourished in the Roman and Byzantine periods. The water supply was from tanks whose preserved remains. 2nd Byzantine period, was a fief of SKORDILI, according to the document distribution of Crete in the 12 nobles of Constantinople / glycol, in 1182. Residents as pioneers in the liberation struggles, will be punished hard by their conquerors. During the first centuries of Venetian rule, the Anopoli was the headquarters of the rebels. After the suppression of the revolution Kallergon 1365 the Venetians destroyed the Anopoli and deny the existence of humans and animals, for 100 years. Its inhabitants were dispersed to other regions and the place was deserted. Later xanakatoikitai and the era of the early Ottoman rule, it was flourishing village.

In 1770 and led by John Vlahos, known by the name Daskalogianni, Sfakians after 'empty' promises of Russians for help, will start revolution, which was suppressed because help never arrived. Anopoli destroyed once again. The proud leader in October of the same year, seeing that winter is coming and all will be lost in the snowy mountains, since the province was completely destroyed, will be delivered thus trying to save what liveware had left the province. The Turks failing to discharge their promises amnesty, use it as bait to capture and other chieftains. The curtain of the revolution, will close dramatically eight months later in Heraklion. The Turks flayed alive and in public view. The great hero, according to witnesses Muslims, not lose heart nor thin, and his heroic death, showed the conquerors their future. In memory of the revolution Daskalogianni, albeit belatedly, the Greek state established in 2006 by presidential decree, National Day of local importance for the island, the first since the June 17 Sunday. During the revolution of 1866, Omer Pasha burnt and destroyed once Anopoli. The landscape with the majestic White Mountains and trails that go up to the alpine zone (above 2000m altitude), in contrast to the tranquility of the plateau awe the visitor.

The plateau is fertile and most of it is covered by traditional and modern plantations. Northern plateau and the edge of the peaks, extends the pinewood Anopoli, which is of outstanding natural beauty and is one of the largest in Crete. From here starts the road to ascension to the White Mountains and the highest peak in the 'Pachnes', the abandoned 50 years Mouri village and the mountain refuge Svourichti - Chouliopoulos. In winter, the plateau 'dresses' sometimes in white. Throughout the year, changing colors and scents because of its rich variety of aromatic and other herbs. Anopoli consists of 11 neighborhoods, the Plain, St. Demetrios, IAR, Vardianoi, Round, Kambia, lakes, Mariana Pavliana, Root and Scala.

In a primary school, kindergarten, clinic and underpins the fire station Sfakion.Oi residents engaged in farming, olive growing, beekeeping and tourism.

Here you find hostels, rooms and apartments, as well as several traditional taverns throughout the year. Also here you will find traditional products, such as the famous nut, honey, olive oil, cheeses, herbs etc. For those interested in activities conducted in the forest organized the sport of Air Soft and which for those unaware, is shooting, with replicas of real weapons and plastic beads. For lovers of herbs, organized outings for identification and harvesting of wild herbs in the area and for those who would like to purchase for farming, there nursery. Also you organized to go hiking in the White Mountains, hiking in the gorges and mountain bike on a network of about 50 km

Main festivals are St. George, the Virgin Mary, St. Demetrius, St. Catherine and Prophet Elias. Do not forget to go up to the temple south of St. Catherine, where the sea is stunning. Anopoli is unique destination that combines leisure, sightseeing and outdoor activities as well as a journey through time in this historic corner of Greece. Spend some time discovering the authentic Crete through a visit to Anopoli! Celebration of gruyere on August 15, is a very good opportunity to taste the local traditional our products and enjoy a genuine Sfakiano feast!