Thodorou Islet
The island of Agioi Theodoroi or Thodorou and located just opposite of the beach of Platanias in Chania, just half a mile northern. The history of the island and its ecological importance in preserving the protected species of the Cretan wild goat, make this small dot on the map very important.
The island is rocky and has an area of 697 acres, while its maximum length reaches 3800m. Apart from the island, there is a second islet next to Thodorou, called Glaraki. Generally, locals refer to the 2 islands by naming both of them simply ‘Theodorou’. In the southern part of the island, there is a large arched cave, which makes the island from afar look like a monster with open mouth..
Much later, in 1574, Venetians built a fortress to protect the whole area of Platanias from any hostile invasion. In just one year, the Venetians managed to build a polygonal fortress at the top of the island (named Turluru) and a second one in a lower laver (named St. Theodore or S. Francesco, by the local Church). The cost of the castles reached the enormous amount of 21,500 ducats, although there were many Cretans who were forced to drudgery. Then, Venetians were planning to build a third fort in the north part of Thodorou, but changed their mind later.
In 1645, Turks attacked against the island and occupied it, after a heroic battle against the 70 defenders of the fortress. When Turks managed to enter the castle, the head of the guards, Vlassios, in order not to surrender to Turks, set fire to the arsenal and blew all the guards and the Turks that had entered the fort.
In 1650 the island returned to Venetian rule until 1699, when it was turned in to Turks, 30 years after the fall of Candia. The island fell into the hands of Cretans, after the liberation of Crete.
In 1897, a force of the Greek army, led by Timoleon Vassos, went on the island, despite the menacing presence of warships of the Great Powers.
Today, the two forts and the Church of Saint Theodore, unfortunately, are totally destroyed and only a few remains remind of its past.