The locals call it the “Atlantis of Crete.” The ancient village of Sfentyli is sinking slowly but inevitably into the waters in back of Aposelemis Dam.
One part of the Cretan village has sunk completely. Only the red tile roof and the white cross of the chapel of Agios Theodoros are still above water.
Two videos shot from a drone show the gradual sinking of the abandoned village. One was shot in the summer of 2018 and the second only days ago.
Sfentyli is only 45 minutes from the island’s capital of Heraklion. Cretans call it “the sunken village”, even though it refuses to sink all the way. During long drought periods, the buildings emerge again from the water.
In the winter, after heavy rainfall, when the Aposelemis dam floods, Sfentyli sinks again. But not into oblivion.
Video from summer 2018
Video from February 2019