Sfakia is a region in South Crete which got its name from the biggest village situated there, Chora Sfakion. Chora Sfakion is often mentioned simply as "Sfakia". The Sfakia region is the most underpopulated in Greece, and Chora Sfakion, though it is one of the most important and famous Cretan villages, has barely 300 permanent residents.
The whole region - Frangocastello is included in it - is full of wild beauty, as the mountains are combined in a unique way with the sea. From Madara (White Mountains) big green gorges come down towards the Libyan Sea, giving the impression to those looking from up there that God tore the mountains so the Sfakiots could pass! Actually, many times brave Sfakiot partisans, fighting for freedom, had to hide in those gorges during harsh and bloody, but heroic history of Sfakia. Sfakia include the biggest part of White Mountains (Madara) range, with its highest peak Pahnes (2454 meters). Also they include the Samaria gorge, the biggest in Europe and one of the most popular places of interest in Crete. There are as well such gorges as Klados, Domata, Eligia, Aradaina, Sfakiano, Imbrow, Asfendos and Kallikratis. That is why many believe that the name "Sfakia" means "a land of gorges" and originates from the word "Sfax" which means "a crack in the earth".
Sfakiots are proud to call themselves as descendants of Dorians who descended to Crete more than 2500 years before. That is why they do not look like the rest of Cretans. Here you'll meet lots of tall blonde men and women with fair eyes and skin.
At one time, Sfakiots used to be great sailors and even greater pirates, but they always were good soldiers who fought for freedom at all times.
Big Cretan revolutions opposite Venetians and later, opposite Turks, began from Sfakia, though the occupants never same to reside in it, not only because life in the mountains was sever, but because they were afraid of its rebellious inhabitants.
According to Pasley, English historian and writer, "The Sfakiot tribe is sure the purest origin of Cretans, because their purity was preserved by the mountainous and remote place that they lived in. Therefore, in Sfakia ancient Cretan customs and traditions were saved, as well as language dialects originating from the Minos epoch".
From Chora Sfakion a boat departs every day for charming Gavdos.
