According to tradition, the region of Sfakiotes took its name from
the Cretans who settled here from the village of
Sfakia
in Crete in the 16th or 17th centuries. It is a primarily mountainous region which
stretches out over a fertile valley. It includes the villages of
Spanochori,
Lazarata,
Asproyerakata,
Kavalos and
Pinakochori.
The growth of the villages over the years means that they have now almost joined
together. Olive trees, bountiful orchards and ineyards go to create the verdant
landscape which stretches out all around. The view towards Lefkada town and the
Ionion Sea is magical from every point here.
The villages of
Drymonas
and
Exantheia also come
under the Municipality of Sfakiotes. These lie on the western side of the island
and, although there is less vegetation here, the view here is also breathtaking.
There are many things to see here. Nature took care to furnish these parts with
a rare beauty. One of these is the ravine of Melissa. Within this ravine, in between
the villages of Kavalos and
Apolpainas,
are the remains of small settlements. Old water-mills, perhaps the island's oldest,
are also located between these villages; these are mentioned in a Decree of Voltaire
Bryennios which was published in 1355. This area is included in a special programme
for regeneration so that all those who want to walk along pathways which will
lead them to the beauties of nature will be able to visit.
The old folks say that this is where the 'hair' would be washed, i.e.
the dowries of the girls who were preparing for marriage. There are many stone
bridges in the ravine and the surrounding areas, as well as wells and springs
from which the crystal-clear waters still gurgle and at which the visitor can
quench his thirst and rest.
At Frya, in between Kavalos and Asproyerakata, are the remains of
Turkish wells dating from 1478-1684 and which were built using a special technique.
One of these supplied water to all the villages in today's Municipality. There
are two ancient plane-trees in Frya, one of which is believed to have been planted
in 1845.
A wine-press belonging to the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives is
also to be found here. This is an important monument directly connected to the
life of the region during the period when wine-making was one of the primary forms
of employment on the island.
The wine-press of Sfakiotes was founded in 1929 and is still in operation.
The Union of Cooperatives has a total of four wine-presses, the oldest being that
at Vasiliki which was founded in 1927. The third is at Exantheia and the newest,
which was founded in 1950 and continues to operate today, is opposite the Kastro
(castle) at Ayia Mavra (Santa Maura).
