Goat herds invade Ancient Falasarna archaeological site in Chania, association says
The Friends of Ancient Falasarna Association says herds of unattended goats enter the protected archaeological site in Chania on a daily basis, causing damage to monuments, excavation trenches and protective installations, according to a statement released by the group.
The association said it has repeatedly contacted the relevant authorities about the problem, but no lasting solution has been reached to date.
Ongoing excavation at a site of international significance
Ancient Falasarna has been the subject of systematic archaeological research for years, centered on a fortified ancient harbor and a Doric temple of Demeter on the acropolis, the association said. The site’s importance has been recognized internationally through numerous scientific publications, with findings documenting its role as a naval and commercial power in antiquity. Crete’s wider record of archaeological sites has drawn separate attention this year, including a temporary closure of the Knossos archaeological site during a period of extreme heat.
Dr Elpida Hatzidaki, the excavation director and former Ephor of Underwater Antiquities, said she has repeatedly contacted the Kissamos Police Station and the Mayor of Kissamos about the goat incursions. According to the association, neither side has taken the initiative required to resolve the problem, despite continuous complaints from the excavation team and documents sent by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania to the Municipality of Kissamos, the Chania Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Directorate of Rural Development and Veterinary Medicine of the Chania Regional Unit, and the Chania Forestry Directorate.
The association says photographs taken almost daily show goats moving through the site. In the most recent incident, a goat became trapped in fencing around the Church of Agios Georgios, located inside the archaeological site; the group says the municipality declined to remove the animal.
Municipality cites measures, association says gap remains
According to a report by haniotika-nea.gr cited in the association’s statement, the Municipality of Kissamos has announced measures to address stray animals in the area, though the association says these commitments have not translated into concrete action. The group notes the stray-animal issue is not confined to the archaeological site, pointing to reports of livestock entering residents’ homes and properties elsewhere in the municipality, which it says has left some residents feeling unprotected. Falasarna’s coastal area has drawn attention over safety concerns more broadly this year, including the death of a hiker on a route near the site amid a summer heatwave, reported separately by local news.
The association said protection of the site “cannot be left to a passing of responsibility between agencies” and called for coordinated intervention to identify the owners of the animals, safely remove them from the site, and put in place permanent guarding measures before irreversible damage occurs to what it described as cultural heritage belonging to everyone. Visitors interested in Crete’s archaeological and historical sites can find further background among the Places in Crete listings.
