Early Maps of Crete : overview

Classical Maps of Crete from 1296 - 1913 AD

Antique Maps of Crete - click small maps to see LARGE version
Carta Pisana (about 1296)

showing present day Gavdos, and the safe harbour of Loutro

Carta Pisana (about 1296)
Map of Crete by Cristoforo Buondelmonti, 1420

Note: North is to the right side of the map

Map of Crete by Cristoforo Buondelmonti, 1420
Map of Crete by Bartolommeo dalli Sonetti, 1485

Note: top is SOUTH. Map mentions La Sfachia

Map of Crete by Bartolommeo dalli Sonetti, 1485
The Kitab-i Bahriye of Piri Reis, 1521

Piri Reis - Crete; you can clearly see Gavdos, Loutro and its fort, and the harbour of Sfakia, surrounded by houses

The Kitab-i Bahriye of Piri Reis, 1521
Map of Crete from Benedetto Bordone's Isolario, 1528

The map mentions m. Leuca [White Mountains], Antigozo [Gavdopoula] and Spatia [Sfakia]

Map of Crete from Benedetto Bordone's Isolario, 1528
Map of Crete by Giovanni Francesco Camocio, 1574

Note: North is at the left. Sfakia is called Lasfa

Map of Crete by Canocio, 1574
Map of Crete by Abraham Ortelius, 1584

Mentions Sfachia

Map of Crete by Abraham Ortelius, 1584
Map of Crete by Jean Zuallart, 1587

a.k.a. Giovanni Zuallardo

Map of Crete by Zuallart, 1587
Map of Crete by Antonio Millo, 1591

Mentions La Sfagia

Map of Crete by Antonio Millo, 1591
Map of Crete by Giuseppe Rosaccio, 1598 Map of Crete by Giuseppe Rosaccio, 1598
Map of Crete by Francesco Basilicata, 1618 Map of Crete by Francesco Basilicata, 1618
Map of Crete by Johannes van Cootwijck, 1619

Note: North is at the left

Map of Crete by Johannes van Cootwijck, 1619
Map of Crete by Tomasso Porcacchi, 1620 Map of Crete by Tomasso Porcacchi, 1620
Map of Crete by Johann Laurenberg, 1661 Map of Crete by Johann Laurenberg, 1661
Map of West Crete by Roger Palmer, 1669

Castra della Sfachia is Chora Sfakion

Map of West Crete by Roger Palmer, 1669
Map of East Crete by Roger Palmer, 1669 Map of East Crete by Roger Palmer, 1669
Map of Crete by Jacob von Sandrart, 1686

Note: North is at the left

Map of Crete by Jacob von Sandrart, 1686
Map of Crete by Jacob Peeters, 1690

Mentions Castel Sfachia

Map of Crete by Jacob Peeters, 1690
Map of Crete by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, 1696

Mentions Castello Sfacchia

Map of Crete by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, 1696
Map of West Crete by Johann Baptist Homann, 1720

Mentions Castel Sfachia

Map of West Crete by Johann Baptist Homann, 1720
Map of Crete by Richard Pococke, 1745

Sfachia is mentioned

Map of Crete by Richard Pococke, 1745
Map of Crete by F. J. J. von Reilly, 1791

Mentions Fachia and "Land der Sfachiotten"

Map of Crete by F. J. J. von Reilly, 1791
Map of Crete by Baldwin & Cradock, 1829

Pt. of Sphakia is mentioned

Map of Crete by Baldwin & Cradock, 1829
Map of Crete by Robert Pashley, 1837

Sfakia is indicated

Map of Crete by Robert Pashley, 1837
Map of West Crete by Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt, 1865

Sfakia is indicated

Map of West Crete by Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt, 1865
Map of Crete by G. Katelouzou, 1868

Greek map of Crete

Map of Crete by G. Katelouzou, 1868
Turkish map Crete, 1907

From Memalik i Mahruse yi Şahane ye mahsus mükemmel ve mufassal atlas

Turkish map Crete, 1907
Map of Crete by Aubyn Trevor Battye, 1913

Sfakia is indicated

Map of Crete by Aubyn Trevor Battye, 1913

You can find an overview of all our maps of Crete here:

Maps of Crete

Hospitality Sfakia

Hospitality in Sfakia

The Sfakians are famous for their hospitality. The locals welcome their guests like friends. Many visitors come back to Crete to visit Sfakia year after year. Enjoy their generosity!

Impressive nature

Impressive nature

Rough white topped mountains up to 2453 metres high, split by 25+ gorges, fertile plains, forests, and the blue sea, and inbetween them small whitewashed villages with many coves and unspoilt beaches.

History and tradition

History and tradition

Brave people that have stood up against their many invaders, preserving their tradition of independence, celebrating their victories with music, poetry and dance, together with friends!