Driving in the national road towards Chania just before the Kalami junction you have probably noticed on your right the imposing structure of the Itzedin fortress.
You probably also know something of the dark history of the fortress as a prison for political detainees after WW2 and until the fall of the Greek military junta in1974. when the prison was closed and the castle was abandoned.
Itzedin was also used as a place of execution for prisoners condemned to death. The last death sentence in Greece was carried out in Itzedin fortress in 1972.
What you may not know however is that once a year on December 15, the day of Agios Eleutherios the Fortress of Itzedin is open to the public.
The chapel within the fortress dedicated to the saint Eleftherios and every year on the day of the saint the local priest celebrates mass in the chapel.
The icons and frescoes in the chapel have painted by the the prison inmates.
So maybe next year ….
Greek Reporter (photos) with additional information from ExpertTravel.gr
