Frangokastello, Greece

The Frangokastello is a medieval castle located east of Chora Sfakion in the south coast of Crete, Greece. The castle was built by the Venetians between 1371 and 1374 to protect the Venetian nobles and their property against the rebells in Sfakia region and against the pirates. During the Turkish occupation was the Frangokastello site of many revolts of the Cretans against the Turks. In 1828 took place the Battle of Frangokastello which involved about 800 Turks and 700 Cretans led by Hatzimihalis Dalianis who took refuge in the Frangokastello.



During the seven days long siege was Dalianis with 350 of his men killed but after the locals closed the Turkish forces from behind they retreated and afterwards demolished a big part of the castle. According to the local legend each May on the anniversary of the battle shadows of the armed Cretan soldiers who lost their lives, known as "dew men" to march toward the castle just before sunrise. This event known as the phenomenon of Drosoulites which lasts for 10 minutes has been also investigated by the scientists who explained it as an extraordinary mirage from the coast of north Africa but such explanation is believed to be questionable because the distance (about 250 kilometres) is very great and because the event corresponds with the anniversary of the Battle of Frangokastello.