Kandanos
History
Nearby is the site of the ancient town of Cantanus.
The town of Kandanos and its surrounding area suffered particularly badly from German occupation during World War II. During the Battle of Crete, resistance fighters had held advancing German soldiers for two days, preventing them from reaching Palaiochora to secure it. In retribution the occupiers razed the village to the ground and erected a sign: "Here stood Kandanos, destroyed in retribution for the murder of 25 German soldiers, never to be rebuilt again."
The town was rebuilt however, and the sign retained in a war memorial. Several of the Byzantine churches and their frescoes were restored. Germany donated waterworks after the war to the village and former soldiers stationed there returned in reconciliation.
Facilities include a health centre, a police station, a bank, a post-office, a pharmacy, and some shops, taverns and cafes. The municipality also includes 28 villages, like Anisaraki, Koufalotos, Plemeniana, Kadhros, Kakodiki and Floria.
International relations
Kandanos is twinned with:
Country | Town | Since |
---|---|---|
Slovakia | Ostrý Grúň | 1987 |
Djibouti | Arta | 2011 |
See also
- List of communities of Chania
- Lidice, a Czechoslovak village destroyed by Germany during World War II