Chora (Hora) Sfakion is famous as one of the centers of the resistance against the occupying forces of both the Venetians and the Turks. The bulk of the White mountains to the north, combined with the rocky beaches on the south, helped the locals keep their freedom against all invaders.
Anopolis a village near Hora Sfakion is the birth place of one of the most celebrated Cretan revolutionaries Daskalogiannis.
After the Battle of Crete during World War II, the locals helped the New Zealand and Australian army escape from here on the night of May 31, 1941.Hora Sfakion prospered during the Venetian and Turkish occupation and up to the 18th century carried on a flourishing trade with its own small fleet. Near the beautiful Sfakian village of Komitades is the Church of Panagia Thymiani where the revolution of 1821 begun. At the village of Loutro is the ruined "chancellery" where the first revolutionary government of 1821 met. Some of the buildings in Hora Sfakion preserved today remind us of the blood-drenched and heroic history.
Hora Sfakion is an ideal base for mountainous and sea excursions to the villages and sandy beaches of southern Crete. Besides the wonderful plateau of Askifou, the village and gorge of Imbros and the traditional and historical village of Komitades, there are plenty of beaches accessible from Sfakia. The more adventurous visitor can follow the European hiking footpath E4 which crosses Crete. There are few hotels and rooms to rent, taverns with local food (local cheese pies "sfakianes pites" are recommended) and bars. Apart from the outstanding natural beauty of the indented rocky shoreline, Hora Sfakion is also worth visiting for the small Venetian fortress built there in 1526 as part of a defensive system of towers and fortresses later taken over by the Turks.
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