Apokoronas
Encyclopedia
Apokoronas is a municipality and a former province
(επαρχία) in Chania peripheral unit, north-west Crete
, Greece
. It is situated on the north coast of Crete, to the east of Chania
itself. The seat of the municipality is the village Vryses.
north to the coast, in a wide plain with rolling hills. To the east, Cape Drapanon rises above the plain and extends out into the Sea of Crete. The area is very green and fertile, unusual for rocky Crete. The Kiliaris river, known in antiquity as 'Pyknos', runs through the region. Robert Pashley
suggested that the name 'Apokoronas' came from the ancient city of Ippokoronas or Ippokoronion, also cited by Strabo
. This city may have been located near modern Nippos, or on the site of the Venetian
fortress, Castel Apicorono, on an outcrop between Kalyves and Almyrida. The major towns of Apokoronas are Vamos
, Armenoi
and Vryses, with police, municipal and utility offices as well as taverns and large churches; Kalyves, Almyrida and Georgioupoli
are the largest beach resorts. Tourism and agriculture are the major local industries, with much construction and quarrying to satisfy the demands of many foreigners eager to buy or rent properties in what used to be beautiful and traditional villages. Gavalohori
is among the more popular villages for foreign buyers, with a large amount of often low-quality building taking place. Many residents or workers in Chania
also have homes in the area.
Apokoronas was the location of much of the filming of the movie Zorba the Greek.
Provinces of Greece
The provinces of Greece were sub-divisions of some the country's prefectures. From 1887, the provinces were abolished as actual administrative units, but were retained for some state services, especially finance services and education, as well as for electoral purposes...
(επαρχία) in Chania peripheral unit, north-west Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It is situated on the north coast of Crete, to the east of Chania
Chania
Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
itself. The seat of the municipality is the village Vryses.
Geography
The Apokoronas extends from the foothills of the White MountainsLefka Ori
Lefka Ori or Madares is a mountain range located in Western Crete, in the Chania prefecture. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori occupy a good part of the centre of West Crete and are the main feature of the region...
north to the coast, in a wide plain with rolling hills. To the east, Cape Drapanon rises above the plain and extends out into the Sea of Crete. The area is very green and fertile, unusual for rocky Crete. The Kiliaris river, known in antiquity as 'Pyknos', runs through the region. Robert Pashley
Robert Pashley
Robert Pashley was a 19th century English traveller and economist. See Pashley was born in York and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. Distinguished in mathematics and Classics, in 1830 he was elected a Fellow of Trinity at his first sitting...
suggested that the name 'Apokoronas' came from the ancient city of Ippokoronas or Ippokoronion, also cited by Strabo
Strabo
Strabo, also written Strabon was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher.-Life:Strabo was born to an affluent family from Amaseia in Pontus , a city which he said was situated the approximate equivalent of 75 km from the Black Sea...
. This city may have been located near modern Nippos, or on the site of the Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
fortress, Castel Apicorono, on an outcrop between Kalyves and Almyrida. The major towns of Apokoronas are Vamos
Vamos
Vamos is a small town and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit...
, Armenoi
Armenoi
Armenoi is a village and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit...
and Vryses, with police, municipal and utility offices as well as taverns and large churches; Kalyves, Almyrida and Georgioupoli
Georgioupoli
Georgioupoli is a resort village and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece.Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located 43 km east of Chania, about 22 km west of Rethymno and...
are the largest beach resorts. Tourism and agriculture are the major local industries, with much construction and quarrying to satisfy the demands of many foreigners eager to buy or rent properties in what used to be beautiful and traditional villages. Gavalohori
Gavalohori
Gavalochori is a village of the Chania Prefecture on the northwest coast of the island of Crete, in Greece. It is located on Cape Drapan in the Vamos municipality of the Apokoronas region. It is named after the Gavalas family who lived here during the reign of the Venetians. Gavalohori is four...
is among the more popular villages for foreign buyers, with a large amount of often low-quality building taking place. Many residents or workers in Chania
Chania
Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
also have homes in the area.
Apokoronas was the location of much of the filming of the movie Zorba the Greek.
Municipality
The municipality Apokoronas was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 6 former municipalities, that became municipal units:- ArmenoiArmenoiArmenoi is a village and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit...
- Asi GoniaAsi GoniaAsi Gonia , is a former community in the eastern part of the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit. The community is situated northeast of the Lefka Ori mountain range...
- FresFresFres is a village and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit. Fres with a population of around 400, has a large main square surrounded by several kafenions...
- GeorgioupoliGeorgioupoliGeorgioupoli is a resort village and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece.Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located 43 km east of Chania, about 22 km west of Rethymno and...
- KryoneridaKryoneridaKryonerida is a former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat of the municipality of Kryonerida was the large village of Vryses. Vryses became the seat of...
- VamosVamosVamos is a small town and former municipality in the Chania peripheral unit, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Apokoronas, of which it is a municipal unit...