Frangokastello
Frangokastello is one of the most famous beaches of the prefecture of Chania and is famous for the Venetian castle, the legends with the legendary Drosoulites, and for its wonderful beach.
It is located 75 km from the city of Chania and 14 km from the country of Sfakia at the southeast of the White Mountains. Frangokastello beach is organized and ideal for children, as its waters are shallow and crystal clear. The only downside of the beach is when there are strong airs, sandblasting has made it difficult for visitors to stay. For this reason, the visitor can choose the beaches west of Sfakia, such as Loutro and Glyka Nera.
West of Fragokastelo beach, there is the beach of Vatalo, which has sand and pebbles. Its waters are crystal clear and ideal for those who love diving. East of the beach of Frangokastello lies the beach of Orthi Ammos, with the huge dunes leading to the sea.
In Frangokastello there are rooms for rent, cafes, taverns, various shops, mini markets, ATMs and the nearest health center is located in Sfakia.
The Castle of the Franks
The Venetians, because they wanted to be protected from the rebellious population and from the raids of the pirates, decided to build a fortress. This particular location was chosen because nearby there were the ruins of a large, early-Christian royal church, which were used for the construction of the castle. The story says that because the castle and the presence of the Venetians were unwanted from the locals, the inhabitants of the area at night ruined that the Venetians were building in the morning. The pioneers of the enterprise were the brothers Patsi, who were later killed by the Venetians. Fragokastelo was completed in 1374.
Drosoulites
The myth says that at the end of May, when the battle between the Greeks and the Turks took place, the Drosoulites appeared. A procession of ghosts of Greek soldiers passing through the adjacent St. Charalampos monastery facing towards the fortress and lost in the sea. They are called Drosulites because they appear just before dawn when the weather is cool. According to a scientific explanation, the phenomenon is due to an ophthalmopathy caused by the evaporation of the morning dew, forming figures, which can also refer to human forms.
