Koules Fortress in Aptera

Located just 12 km from Chania, near the Paleokastro area, a stone’s throw from the village of Kalami and atop the ruins of ancient Aptera, stands the Koules Fortress.

This impressive Ottoman fortress has been transformed into a venue for events and exhibitions.

It was built by the Ottomans after the Cretan Revolution of 1866 as part of their efforts to regain control of Crete through a network of fortifications. Constructed by Hüseyin Avni Paşa, the fortress is a fine example of 19th-century fortress architecture.

Its strategic location was chosen to oversee the Apokoronas Valley, which served as a key passage to Chania. Along with other Koules fortresses, the Ottomans built it to secure control over the Souda harbor and to support the Izzedin Fortress.

Source: Municipality of Chania