Vamos is a village destination in the foothills of Lefka Ori, the White Mountains, a range in western Crete. 25 km from the lovely city of Chania, Vamos sits at a semi-mountainous altitude of 300 metres and is surrounded by farmland and a wild nature buzzing with life.
The history of Vamos dates back to the 8th century when its first inhabitants were Arab pirates. A Venetian census from 1573 notes that the village, documented as Vamou, had 271 residents.
During the period of Ottoman rule, Vamos served as the headquarters of the Ottoman armed forces, while in 1863 a pasha named Savvas selected Vamos as the administrative headquarters for the Sfakia area. However, the people of Vamos proved very patriotic in their revolt against Ottoman rule and a successful battle in 1896 secured liberty for the Cretans.
Vamos flourished while it served as the base for the Sfakia area. Mansions of a neoclassical style were built during this period, and the distinction between rich and poor became very evident.
Luxury houses, which were locally referred to as “konakia”, highlighted the affluence of the upper classes. These homes stood as a stark contrast to the one-room shacks, or “kamarospita”, of the poor. These houses, built with local materials such as stone, wood and soil, continue to impress to the present day as a result of their authentic and traditional character.
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