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Hora Sfakion is unique among Cretan towns in
that it has been developed in recent years with restored and new buildings as far as its
terrain permits yet the town still retains its majestic setting, delightful ambience
and beautiful tranquillity. It is the capital of Sfakia, the county within Crete that
encompasses most of the awesome White Mountains that press around Chora Sfakion
itself. Before the road from the North and East reached the town in the late 1950s,
the inhabitants were mainly fishermen, shepherds, farmers and cheese-makers. The Sfakians are
fiercely independent, while also extremely hospitable, and were famous for their resistance to
the Venetians and the Turks. In the Second World War many Sfakians helped Australian and New
Zealand soldiers escape on the night of May 3 1941 - and a fearful penalty was paid as
witness the skulls visible in the War Memorial -: and in 1821 the revolution began
nearby.
It is now an ideal base for walking and
other excursions up into the mountains or by ferry along the coast and there is good
swimming. Its setting is spectacular. The town is well provided with facilities
- 2 ATMs, a Post Office, a butcher, more than one bakery, supermarkets, tavernas and
hotels. The town appears to have grown out and up from the old harbour, now no longer used
by ferries since in recent years a much bigger, and much safer, harbour has been built
just to the East of the town.
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