Sougia
Encyclopedia
Sougia is a village in Chania Prefecture
on the island of Crete
, Greece
. It is located on the south coast of the island, 70 km south of Chania
. It has 109 residents (2001 census source) and it's within the municipality of East Selino (Anatoliko Selino). Sougia is reached from Chania by car in 2 hours or by ferry boats from Palaiochora
, Agia Roumeli
, Loutro and Hora Sfakion
. Although it is not one of the larger towns of the province of Selino
, Sougia is interesting to the tourist, providing a lovely beach, impressive mountains and interesting remains of an ancient city and old Byzantine
churches. Sougia has some tourist services, such as small hotels, rooms to rent and a few taverns, cafes and bars. Sougia was the ancient city of Syia
, a harbour of Elyros
. In village's church, an important basilica of the Byzantine era, was found a beautiful mosaic, now exposed in Chania's Archeological Museum.
Chania Prefecture
Chania is one of the four regional units of Crete; it covers the westernmost quarter of the island. Its capital is the city of Chania. Chania borders only one other regional unit: that of Rethymno to the east. The western part of Crete is bounded to the north by the Cretan Sea, and to the west...
on the island of 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 located on the south coast of the island, 70 km south 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...
. It has 109 residents (2001 census source) and it's within the municipality of East Selino (Anatoliko Selino). Sougia is reached from Chania by car in 2 hours or by ferry boats from Palaiochora
Palaiochora
Palaiochora is a small town in Chania prefecture. Paleochora is located 77 km south of Chania, on the southwest coast of Crete and occupies a small peninsula 400m wide and 700m long. The town is set along 11 km of coastline bordering the Libyan Sea...
, Agia Roumeli
Agia Roumeli
Agia Roumeli is a small village in southwest Crete, Greece and is popular with tourists. Located a few kilometres above the town is the southern entrance to the Samaria Gorge. For most walkers, this is the exit, as the usual route through the gorge is to descend from the north...
, Loutro and Hora Sfakion
Hora Sfakion
Image:Chora Sfakion 1941 evacuation monument.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Monument commemorating the evacuation during WW2 of British and ANZAC forces from Hora Sfakion in May 1941. Click on the left plaque for a closer viewrect 198 536 320 1082 rect 0 0 900 1200...
. Although it is not one of the larger towns of the province of Selino
Selino
Selino Province is a province and historical region of Crete. It is located in the remote southwestern corner of the island, in Chania Prefecture. It is a rugged and remote area in the foothills of the Lefka Ori and also includes Gavdos, an island to the south of Crete considered the southernmost...
, Sougia is interesting to the tourist, providing a lovely beach, impressive mountains and interesting remains of an ancient city and old Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
churches. Sougia has some tourist services, such as small hotels, rooms to rent and a few taverns, cafes and bars. Sougia was the ancient city of Syia
Syia
Syia is an ancient city in south-west Crete. It is located in Sougia village, 70 km south of Chania.-History:Like Lissos, Syia was a capacious and safe harbour of Elyros. Strabo calls the town Syba. The name derives probably from the word “sys , i.e. hog. Therefore, Syia is the “hog-city”...
, a harbour of Elyros
Elyros
Elyros is an ancient city, located in southwest Crete, in Kefala Hill, near the village Rodovani and is presently unexcavated. Elyros was flourishing at least as early as the Greek Classical Period, e.g. 500 to 350 BC. In the Classical Period Elyros was the most important ancient city in...
. In village's church, an important basilica of the Byzantine era, was found a beautiful mosaic, now exposed in Chania's Archeological Museum.