Galatas: History and Remembrance

Galatas is a destination for travellers who want to get to know a place through its history and memorial sites. The focus is on the Battle of Galatas and the family home of the brothers Mikis and Giannis Theodorakis. The two sites tell different stories: the monument keeps alive the memory of those who fell, while the house is connected with a formative period in Mikis Theodorakis’s life. Galatas therefore offers a cultural focus that you can consider when choosing where to stay on holiday.

Commemorating the Battle of Galatas

The Battle of Galatas lasted ten days. The local population, together with Greek and New Zealand forces, tried to repel the German troops. They had only a few weapons and agricultural tools at their disposal. The participation of the local population and the scarcity of resources form part of the historical background to the commemorations.

The Greek–New Zealand monument commemorates the Greek and New Zealand Allied soldiers who fell in the Battle of Crete in the Galatas area. A tall column bears a bronze depiction of Crete crowned with laurel. Two smaller columns complement the monument with information about the events of the battle and the number of those who fell. The imagery and historical information make the three columns distinct parts of a shared memorial.

Historical and cultural commemorative events are held every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Galatas. Veterans and official delegations from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia attend. If you would like to plan your stay around the occasion, check the event dates as you make your plans.

The Theodorakis House in Galatas

The family home of Mikis and Giannis Theodorakis is classified as a more recent monument. The simple traditional house with a garden probably dates from the 19th century. It is located in the area of Πλακούρα or Αλωνάκι.

The house served as a retreat for the family. Mikis Theodorakis used it from 1949 to 1954 to rest and as a place for a creative new beginning, before studying in Paris. The house therefore represents a different kind of remembrance from the monument to the battle: here, the focus is on family life and an important period in Mikis Theodorakis’s life.

More cultural themes in the wider destination of Chania

In the wider destination of Chania, the Archaeological Museum of Chania offers another historical focus. Its permanent exhibition includes three rooms on the ground floor and one on the upper floor. It presents archaeological finds from the regional unit of Chania dating back several centuries. Its regional collection and broad time span offer a different perspective from the specific commemorations in Galatas.

Theriso is also one of the historical themes in the wider destination of Chania. During the 1905 revolution under Eleftherios Venizelos, the historic village was the seat of the Cretan rebels. The Historical and Folklore Museum of Theriso is located in the former headquarters building of Venizelos and the Theriso Movement of 1905. The Eleftherios Venizelos Gorge, which leads to the historic village of Theriso, is six kilometres long in total.

When looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred focus can help guide your choice: would you like to centre your stay on Galatas, its commemoration of the battle and the Theodorakis House, or would you also like to explore archaeology and the history of Theriso? Choose where to stay based on the subjects that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ramni, Spilia, Lakkoi, Kares, Voulgaro, Mournies, Almyrida, Nopigia.

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