Stay in Magarikari — a quiet mountain village steeped in resilience and history, perched at 450 meters on the southern flank of Mount Psiloritis. With sweeping views across the Messara Valley and out to the Libyan Sea, Magarikari offers a peaceful base for reflection, exploration, and connection to Crete’s deeper past.

The village was first recorded in 1583, and its story is one of survival and strength. It suffered deeply under Ottoman and German occupation — with homes destroyed and lives lost — including 47 villagers who drowned as hostages when their ship was torpedoed during World War II.

Magarikari is also the birthplace of Georgios Petrakis, known as Petrakogiorgis, a legendary figure in the Cretan resistance. Born here in 1890, he became a symbol of bravery and patriotism during the island’s struggle against Axis forces.

The village is home to four small churches, each holding its own feast day:

• Archangel Michael (November 8)

• The Holy Cross – Timios Stavros (September 14)

• Panagia Kera (September 8)

• Agios Nektarios (November 9)

You’ll also find a small ethnological museum, a traditional village fountain, and the impressive Tower of Grammeni — one of many 19th-century Turkish fortifications built to control the inland passes of Crete. Its thick stone walls, built by local Christians under occupation, still stand as a quiet monument to the village’s turbulent past. Inside the fortified structure are remnants of living quarters, fireplaces, and a rainwater tank that once sustained those seeking refuge.

Magarikari may be small, but its spirit runs deep. Surrounded by nature and history, it offers visitors not only a place to stay — but a story to carry with them.

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