Vlacheronitissa sits on a hilltop at an elevation of 65 metres. White houses, the central church and memories of the Battle of Crete shape the village in different ways. The landscape, religious tradition and history offer concrete points of interest to help you decide which aspect of the village interests you most.

Landscape and Village Character

The white houses are surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees and gardens. This setting gives the village a rural character, while its hilltop location opens up far-reaching views. The panorama extends across the plain and the beaches from Kolymvari to Chania. This offers two distinct landscape features to consider when choosing a destination: views across the surrounding area and a village framed by gardens, fruit trees and vineyards. So, if landscape is a priority on your trip, you can take both the expansive views and the surroundings of the houses into account.

Church and Tradition

The central church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, it was built on the spot where a vision revealed the existence of an icon. The story says that the icon came from the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople. The dedication and the legend provide different information: the dedication names the church’s religious patronage, while the story connects the building site with the icon and its origins. Those interested in religious traditions can therefore learn about both the church’s specific dedication and a local legend. Both are part of the village’s cultural character, but they tell different stories.

Height 107 and the Battle of Crete

Height 107 in Vlacheronitissa was the site of a German paratrooper operation during the Battle of Crete. The aim of the operation was to capture Maleme airfield. A simple wooden cross commemorates those who fell in the battle. At Height 107, the history of a specific operation and the remembrance of those who fell stand side by side. In 2026, commemorative events were held there for the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The reference to the airfield identifies the operation’s objective at the time; the cross and the commemorative events provide their own ways of remembering.

Village Festival and Getting There

The cultural association holds the Vlacheronitissa village festival every July, attracting many people. This is a recurring event in the annual calendar, distinct in timing from the commemorative events held at Height 107 in 2026 for the 85th anniversary. If you are planning your trip around the village festival, check the exact date for the year in question in advance.

If you are travelling by car, the road from Tavronitis to Maleme is a useful guide. Shortly before Maleme, turn right towards Vlacheronitissa; after about three kilometres uphill, you will reach the village. This is an approximate distance from the turn-off to the village.

Discover more destinations: Mathes, Provarma, Filippos, Tsivaras, Emprosneros, Lakkoi, Ravdoucha, Temenia.

For the main travel overview: Chania.