The small resort of Platanias is located near the village of Agia Marina. The village is famous for its good tourist infrastructure. Guests are welcomed by comfortable hotels. For their entertainment there is a diving center, a milos disco, a nightclub Splendid, restaurants, bars, taverns with themed dinners and parties. The range of services is offered by the yacht club. Here you can do water sports, book a tour, rent any vehicle (except for the plane). For children there is a field for a minigolf, a modern cinema is built, hotels organize animation programs and the work of children’s clubs. In your free time from the beach, you can visit local attractions.
- 1 Historic shelter of Platanias Museum
- 2 Folklore Museum of Cultural Heritage of Agia Marina
- 3 Greek Orthodox Church Ekklisia Agios Spiridon
- 4 Greek Orthodox Church Orthodox Chapel Agia Marina
- 5 Island of St. Fedor (Agios Theodoros)
- 6 Nerospilja Cave
- 7 Ruins of the ancient temple of Athea
- 8 Lake Agia
- 9 Galatas village
- 10 City of Chania
- 11 Attractions Platanias on map
Historic shelter of Platanias Museum
The central attraction of the village is the Museum of the Guerrilla Movement. On May 18, 1941, German fascist troops launched Operation Mercury to seize Cretan territories. The inhabitants of Platanias and the surrounding area put up decent resistance to the occupiers. By order of Verkhmat, the first mass shooting of civilians occurred here in May of the 41st. The protection of the native land of the Cretans is in the blood. Beginning in the Middle Ages, they fought for independence from the Venetians, then the Turks. Only in 1913 the island was connected with its alma mater – Greece. Another occupation by Nazi Germany was greeted by the locals with determination to defend their right to be free.
The museum itself is small. It presents an exposition of documents, photographs, historical facts about the heroic guerrilla movement found after the war. The tour passes through the underground catacombs, which are connected by tunnels. This is only part of the extensive structure of underground passages, communications, dugouts and trenches made during the war. The museum belongs to the church, so on Sundays in the morning it can be closed. It can be visited from 10 to 12 am, then a break until 17.00, the exposition closes at 19.30.
Next to the museum is a memorial to the Battle of Crete and an olive tree that saved the village; beautiful church of St. Dimitris with panoramic views; village pogost; one of the largest anti-aircraft guns, which weighs 9.5 tons; a torpedo tube and a 250-year-old olive grove. Parking is available for cars.
Address: Platanias, Chania, Crete, Greece
Folklore Museum of Cultural Heritage of Agia Marina
Platanias practically merges with another popular resort Agia Marina. Therefore, all the attractions of this village are within walking distance. Of particular interest to tourists is the Museum of Cultural Heritage of Crete. This is a non-profit project, the exposition of which is collected by volunteers. Visitors can get acquainted with the local traditions and rural life of Crete, learn about the architectural features of the construction of houses, the daily activities of the Cretans, local customs and traditions, wine production and rakija. As part of the initiatives, employees collect old photographs of rural life, which are then presented in the exhibition. The Cretan House is a place where visitors can ask about details, places to visit or relax on the Cretan coast. Guests will also appreciate the local hospitality. Each visitor obviously becomes a good friend, who is invited to an evening tea party to chat about life and discuss the latest news. Admission is free, but everyone can take part in volunteer support for the project.
Address: Agia Marina, Crete, Greece
Site: https://www.facebook.com/folkmuseumagiamarina/
Greek Orthodox Church Ekklisia Agios Spiridon
The central temple of Platanias is the recently restored church in honor of St. Spyridon. Revered throughout the Christian world, the righteous man was from Crete, so he is considered the patron saint of the entire island and Greece. He is revered in the face of the saints as a miracle worker. His memory is celebrated with divine services on December 25 in the Orthodox Church and on December 14 in Catholic churches. The inhabitants of Platanias embodied their love and reverence for St. Spyridon through the decoration of the temple. Icons are carefully selected here, the walls and ceiling are colorfully decorated, during the restoration the facade and belfry are overhauled. Above the bell tower rises another small tier, on which the main city clock is installed. The church is located in the central square of the village, where there is usually a large crowd of people.
Address: Platanias, Crete, Greece
Greek Orthodox Church Orthodox Chapel Agia Marina
You can visit the Orthodox Greek Orthodox Church in nearby Agia Marina. This is a compact single-nave building with snow-white walls and a tiled roof. Unlike the previous temple, there are not many people. A cozy courtyard provides for the possibility of privacy. The Greeks and Cretans pay special attention to prayer and conversation with God. Therefore, no one should interfere with this conversation about life and soul. The main temple of Agia Marina is the delightful beauty of the Church of St. Marina. It is visited by all travelers interested in Christian culture, icon painting and architectural features of Orthodox cathedrals.
Address: Agia Marina, Crete, Greece
Island of St. Fedor (Agios Theodoros)
Opposite the coastline of Platanias is the uninhabited island of St. Fedor. Every day from the pier there are excursion boats and boats. In the mid-16th century, the Venetians used the territory to build fortifications against the naval forces of the Ottoman Empire. However, the fortresses could not withstand the onslaught of the enemy, were captured and destroyed after several days of resistance. the island was named after the church of St. Theodore, from which today resembles only a dilapidated foundation.
The rocky shores of the island attract scuba divers. But they are interested not only in diving. Many are trying to find ancient artifacts, coins, weapons. Independent visit to the island is strictly prohibited. In the 60s, the place was declared a nature reserve, on the territory of which wild cree-Cree goats live, listed in the Red Book. Now it is an environmental object, the movement of which is strictly regulated. If there is a desire to spend a day on the wild beach of the island. then the trip should be agreed in advance.
Nerospilja Cave
One and a half kilometers from Platanias is the cave of Nerospilja. It can be reached on foot through the street of the same name in Agia Marina. The object is located on private territory, so the visit should be agreed in advance with the owners. You can use the services of a local guide who will not only show the way and solve all organizational issues, but also prepare special equipment for a tour of the cave. This is an uncomfortable object, there are no electric lights, paved paths, signs. The entire chain of underground tunnels and corridors will have to pass at your own risk. Inside there are several halls, a natural collection of stalactites and stalagmites, striking in their beauty and colors. For self-exploration of the cave will need a lantern, rope, helmet and other simple digger equipment. It is advisable to immediately wear comfortable shoes, as first you will have to go through the overgrown hills, and then go down the stone paths of the grotto itself.
The object is practically not investigated. In ancient times, it was used as a sanctuary in which religious rituals were conducted. All the artifacts found inside are in the Archaeological Museum of Crete. But according to researchers, not everything has been found. The owners of the territory are not allowed to excavate here, but for treasure seekers are given all the opportunities to become famous.
Address: Agia Marina, Crete, Greece
Ruins of the ancient temple of Athea
One and a half kilometers from Agia Marina are the ruins of the ancient temple of the goddess Athea. She was revered in these parts and was the patroness of the island of Aegina, gave people wealth, successful hunting, a good harvest. the remains of a majestic structure located on a high hill were discovered by the Englishman Charles Robert Cockerell and the German Haller von Hallerstein in 1811. They led an archaeological expedition to the site of the find. All artifacts, statues, vases, jewelry and other rarities found here were taken to Europe and sold at auction. The items were bought by Ludwig I of Bavaria and placed them in the Munich Glyptothek, where they are still stored.
On the territory of the excavations of the temple of Atheas, a museum was later organized. You can come here as part of a tour group or get there on your own by car, ferry or on foot. The ticket price is 6 euros, discounts are provided for pensioners, students, children under 18 years old are allowed free of charge. The museum is open daily from 10.30 to 17.30 in winter, from 8.00 to 20.00 in summer. The exposition presents ceramic dishes, the restored part of the pediment, fragments of statues, a recreated model of the temple of Atheas in scale.
Address: 18010 Aegina Island, Attica region, Greece
Lake Agia
A small lake of 450 hectares today looks like a piece of untouched nature. Migratory birds nest here, abundant vegetation covers the shores. More than 200 species of grasses, shrubs and trees grow here. Many visitors do not even think that this is a man-made pond. In the 50s of the last century, the construction of a hydroelectric power plant began here. A reservoir was built for its needs. Then the need for the station disappeared and it was closed. Nature gradually took its toll, and the state declared the territory of the lake a protected area. On the shore there is a beach with a pier for boats and catamarans. Fishing is strictly prohibited, but you can safely explore the entire coast, using the services of renting water equipment. The depth of the reservoir reaches 25 meters. Some parts of the coast are swampy and covered with tin. Recently, the budget for irrigation has been cut, as a result of which the balance of water inflow/outflow has been disturbed. Therefore, it is necessary to go out with caution on uncomfortable shores. In the vicinity of the lake there is a beautiful church, taverns and small hotels.
Address: Fasos Valley, Chania Prefecture, Crete, Greece
Galatas village
In your free time, you can visit the historic village of Galatas, which is located 6 kilometers from Platanias. It is located in a valley of olive and orange groves, near Kalamaki Beach. Excavations of the palace of the Minoan period are carried out here, the research of which will interest true lovers of ancient history. The village is also the birthplace of the father of the famous Greek musician and composer Mikis Theodorakis. When the military dictatorship took control of Greece (1967), Theodorakis became one of the activists of the resistance movement, for which he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He did not receive the Nobel, but the Soviet government noted his work by awarding the Greek public figure the Lenin Prize “For Strengthening Peace and Friendship among Peoples”. The village has preserved the house in which his father was born and raised. Galatas hotels are distinguished by a calm atmosphere and good service. Here you can relax before you continue the journey.
Address: Galatas, Chania Prefecture, Crete, Greece
City of Chania
Chania is not only the administrative, but also the historical center of the prefecture. The city is divided into two large districts – Old and New Town. Here you can visit the Archaeological Museum, the Maritime Museum of Crete, the Museum of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, the Church of St. Nicholas, stroll through the ancient Venetian harbor, take pictures at the oldest Cretan lighthouse. Here is the medieval fortress of Frikas. It rises near the old port of Chania, attracting tourists to see the well-preserved bastions, walls, massive fortifications. A museum is open on the territory, the entrance is paid. Acquaintance with the sights of the city is best to start with the fortress. Free public parking is available nearby and you can park your car. Comfortable hotels and a variety of tourist offices offer their services to travelers.
Address: Chania, Crete, Greece
Attractions Platanias on map
