On the South coast of Crete is one of the most well preserved castles – Frangokastello. Here once housed the eponymous settlement (now demolished). Castle is 12 km on East from Chora Sfakion (Prefecture of Chania).

Built the fortress was in 1371-1374 years by the Venetians for placement of the garrison, which will settle the rebellions and uprisings in Sfakia, as well as for the protection of the Venetian nobles and their property from pirate raids. Initially, the fortress was named "castle of St. Nikita" (named after the patron Saint of the local area and the name of the same Church nearby). But among the locals was more popular contempt "Frangokastello", which literally means "the castle of the Franks". Gradually this name is firmly entrenched in the fortress.

Frangokastello is a structure of rectangular shape with four watch towers on each corner). Above the main gate is the symbol of the winged lion of St. Mark (emblem of the Venetian Republic). To this day preserved in the wall and the remains of an embossed coats of arms of families of Quirini and Dolphin. During the Ottoman domination Frangokastello was somewhat modernized, were built battlements with loopholes.

The fortress repeatedly witnessed fierce battles between local people and the Turks. In may, 1827, there was a significant battle that went down in history. The inhabitants of Sfakia under the leadership of Cretan rebel Dalianis in an attempt to expand the war for independence had captured the castle. The Turks took Frangokastello in the siege and brutally killed by the rebels. They say that every year in may, around the anniversary of the battle, early in the morning appears the same vision: shadows of armed men rushing up to the castle (it is believed that the souls of the dead here Cretans). This phenomenon scientists have identified as the Mirage and called "drosoulites". It is assumed that this phenomenon is caused by the peculiar refraction of light, but a consensus scientists have not yet reached.