Frangokastello

Frangokastello, a general view

The beach of Frangokastello early in the morning

Fishing boats in the small port in Frangokastello. The White Mountains are also visible, covered with clouds. Photo by Paris Gaitanos.

A boat returns from fishing early in the morning and enters the port in Frangokastello.

A beer bottle stuck upside-down in the sand betrays the group of friends who enjoyed the beach at Frangokastello last night.

A small lake of rainwater on the beach at Frangokastello. Photo by Paris Gaitanos.

The castle Frangokastello. Photo by Paris Gaitanos.

A different view of the Frangokastello castle.

The Frangokastello castle is a proof of the long history of this area in south-west Crete.

The castle of Frangokastello was built by the Venetians, more to control the locals rather than to offer protection from external enemies and pirates.

The locals did not look kindly on the castle and mockingly named it Castle of the Franks (Castello Franco).

At sunrise the castle is bathed in a scarlet light, bringing to mind the blood spilt here by the 335 brave fighters of Hadzi Michalis Dalianis and the 800 Turkish soldiers who died during the siege of Frangokastello. Photo by Kostas Kouvidis.

Frangokastello lit from the outside, shortly before sunrise. Photograph by Kostas Kouvidis.

Dawn breaks at Frangokastello and the sun paints the sky and sea red. Photograph by Kostas Kouvidis.

Ruined house at Frangokastello, its stone walls reflecting the colours of the sunrise. Photograph by Kostas Kouvidis.

A church belfry at Frangokastello against the rosy morning sky. Photograph by Kostas Kouvidis.

Church in Frangokastello. Photo by Kostas Kouvidis.

The monastery of Agios Charalambos in Frangokastello. Photo by Paris Gaitanos.

The Orthi Ammos beach is located 300 metres east of the Frangokastello castle.

Orthi Ammos beach is a semicircular sandy beach with crystal-clear water, crowned with flowering oleander trees.

Swimming at Orthi Ammos is delightful, especially when a strong north wind is not blowing.

A sand dune at the Orthi Ammos beach in Frangokastello.

The water at Orthi Ammos beach is clear as crystal, in all the shades of turquoise and blue.

The clear water at Frangokastello reveals every detail of the seabed, inviting visitors to dive in and enjoy the beauty of the Cretan sea.

The sun rises above the mountains and one more beautiful day begins in Frangokastello. Photo by Kostas Kouvidis.