HISTORY

The original structure of Villa Filitsa was built, in part, by the Turkish General Commander of Crete, Moustafa Pasa in the beginning of the 18^th century.  At that time the capital of Crete revolved between Chania and Iraklion.  When Moustafa was in Chania, he used this as a country home where he stayed with his wives and personnel.  Captain Mathios Milonogiannis was the leader of the Apokoronas freedom fighters during the fighting against the Ottoman Empire.  Mathios’ brother Giannis, eventually bought this house from the Greek government in 1923 and it has been occupied by his ancestors ever since.  In 1985 the Ministry of Culture declared the house a national historical monument.  Restoration work began on the house in April 2001 under the supervision of the Archaeology Ministry.  Many of the same building techniques used centuries ago were used during the year-long restoration.