Afouresmenos Cape: Where the Name Comes From
Author Discover Crete
Culture
Culture

Hiking trips to the lighthouse at Afouresmenos Cape are popular, but few know the story behind its name.
According to the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, the name Afouresmenos comes from a local legend linked to the always-stormy sea. The tale goes like this:
After sentencing Christ to death, Caiaphas set out on a journey to Rome to meet Caesar. But along the way, he died from a contagious disease. As a ruler, he had to be buried with proper honours. His crew reached Crete and approached the small cove near the cape. Suddenly, the sea surged violently, but the sailors managed to make it to shore and bury Caiaphas.
The cape was named Afouresmenos (which roughly translates to "excommunicated" or "accursed") because it became the final resting place of the man who crucified Christ. Since then, the sea around it has never calmed.
In fact, many 19th-century nautical guides advised captains to sail at least a mile offshore when passing the cape.
Photo: Cretebydrone

Afouresmenos Cape