Souda
Souda
Σούδα | |
|---|---|
 The cliff of Souda bay | |
  Souda Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates:35°29′N24°04′E/ 35.483°N 24.067°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Chania |
| Municipality | Chania |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 22.0 km2(8.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 8,438 |
| • Municipal unit density | 380/km2(990/sq mi) |
| • Community | 6,225 |
| Time zone | UTC+2(EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3(EEST) |
| Vehicle registration | ΧΝ |
Souda(Greek:Σούδα) is a town and former municipality in theChania regional unit,Crete,Greece.Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipalityChania,of which it is a municipal unit.[2]The municipal unit has an area of 22.007 km2(8.497 sq mi).[3]It is an important ferry and naval port at the head ofSouda Bay.
Souda is 6.5 kilometres (4.0 miles) to the east of centralChania,although the area in between is mostly built-up. The town is a relatively new settlement, built on what used to be salt beds and marshland. TheTurksknew the area as 'Tuzla', their name for salt-beds.[citation needed]In the 1870s, they began to build a new settlement here which grew as the port expanded. Souda Bay is one of the deepest natural harbours in theMediterraneanand is easy to defend.[citation needed]
Now Souda is the arrival point for ferries fromPiraeus.There is also anaval base located in Souda and across the bay,forNATO,with military accommodation and hospital in the town. Much of the command, particularly forUSforces, is found across the bay on theAkrotiri.A grain silo overshadows the centre of town. Perhaps because of its nature as a working port and military town, it is not popular with tourists and can appear seedy[citation needed],however, the central square was upgraded in 2020.[citation needed]It is well-served with shops of all types and some renowned fish restaurants in the old centre.
TheAllied War Cemetery,mostly of soldiers fromWorld War II,is found in Souda on the shore. There are 1,527 graves, mostly British with 447New Zealandersand 197Australians.Buried in the cemetery is the archaeologistJohn Pendlebury.Pendlebury was the curator atKnossosfor the British School inAthensand had been continuing excavations in Crete until the war. He was executed by theGermansin 1941 whilst working for British Intelligence.[citation needed]
Souda municipal unit
[edit]Souda was the main town in the former municipality of the same name, with the town hall found in Souda itself. This municipality was created in 1990 from the former community Souda, and was expanded with the former communities Kalami and Tsikalaria in 1997.[4]At the 2010Kallikratis reform,the municipality opf Souda was absorbed into the municipality of Chania, of which it became a municipal unit. The municipal unit is subdivided into the communities Souda, Aptera and Tsikalaria.[2]
The municipal unit extends from Chania's hinterland (Souda andTsikalaria) along the coast, taking in the villages of Kalami and Aptera. Around 8,400 people live in the municipal unit, the majority in Souda itself. Due to the area's beautiful views across the sea and up to the White Mountains and its proximity to Chania, there is a great deal of pressure to build new houses and apartments. However, there has been some protection afforded by the restrictions of having a military base in the area.[citation needed]
Sinking of HMSYorkduring WWII
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DuringWorld War II,the Royal Navy heavy cruiserHMSYorkwas disabled at Souda Bay by two Italian explosive motorboats (Italian:barchini esplosivi) of the Italian Decima Flottiglia MAS, launched by destroyersCrispiandSellaon 26 March 1941. Six motorboats entered the bay, led by LieutenantLuigi Faggioni,and attacked three targets in pairs; the first wasYork,second the tankerPericlesand last another ship at anchor. Three of the attacking craft had various problems, either mechanical or human, due to the extreme temperature conditions, but the other three successfully attacked their targets. Two motorboats, packed with 330-kilogramme (667 lb) charges in the bows, struckYorkamidships, flooding both boiler rooms and one engine room. Two seamen were killed.
Gallery
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View of the islet of Leon, from the Venetian fortifications on the islet of Souda, within Souda Bay. -
View from the walls of the Souda fortress.
References
[edit]- ^"Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό"[Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ab"ΦΕΚ B 1292/2010, Kallikratis reform municipalities"(in Greek).Government Gazette.
- ^"Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)"(PDF)(in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece.
- ^Δ. Σούδας (Χανίων),EETAA local government changes
External links
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