Ancient Port of Falassarna

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Location: Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Χανίων, Greece

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February 12, 2026

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Phalasarna possessed an enclosed artificial naval harbor, called the Kothon (high, bulbous jug) in antiquity, which was connected to the sea by a canal running westward. It was hewn out of the coastal cliffs, measuring 100 x 75 meters. A second canal provided access 100 meters behind the north side of the acropolis. As a fortification, the harbor had four towers dating from the 4th century BC, parts of which are still preserved. A major earthquake on July 21, 365 AD, which caused the landmass at Phalasarna to rise by six to nine meters, drained the harbor basin.

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Peter

February 12, 2026

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Phalasarna (Greek: Φαλάσαρνα (f. sg.)) refers to an ancient port city on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete. The archaeological sites of the ancient city are located about eight kilometers west of the town of Kissamos.

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Peter

February 12, 2026

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The present-day settlement of Falasarna (also spelled Falassarna) lies south of the ruins of Phalasarna along the coast of Livadia Bay. It belongs to the village of Platanos in the municipality of Kissamos. The main sources of income for the Cretans living there are agriculture, as evidenced by the numerous greenhouses where tomatoes, and also bananas, are cultivated, and tourism. Of tourist interest are the long sandy beaches with their bizarre rock formations caused by the uplift of the seabed, as well as the remains of the port, settlement, and temples of ancient Phalasarna.

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