Native name: Σούδα | |
|---|---|
 The islet of Souda, to the right of a smaller islet called Leon, in Souda bay. | |
  Souda | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 35°29′20″N24°09′07″E / 35.489°N 24.152°E /35.489; 24.152 |
| Archipelago | Cretan Islands |
| Administration | |
Greece | |
| Region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Chania |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2001) |
Souda (Greek:Σούδα) is an islet inSouda Bay on the northwest coast ofCrete. In ancient times this islet was one of two islets that were referred to asLeukai (Λευκαί). The second islet is known today asLeon.
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The island was fortified by theVenetians due to its strategic location, controlling the entrance to the anchorage ofSouda Bay (which is still an important Greek and NATO naval base). Although the rest of Crete fell toOttoman control in theCretan War (1645–1669), the fortress of Souda (along with the island fortresses ofGramvousa andSpinalonga) remained in Venetian hands until 1715, when they toofell to the Ottomans. During this time, the island served as a refuge for Cretan insurgents.
On the northwest side of the islet, a small distance away, there is another island which is almost round in shape, which used to be referred to on medieval Venetian maps asRabbit Island (known asNisi andLeon today). In ancient times these two islets were referred to as Leukai (Greek for "white ones"). Their name came from the ancient Greek myth about a musical contest between theSirens and theMuses. Out of their anguish from losing the competition, writesStephanus of Byzantium, the Sirens lost their wing and, having turned white, throwed themselves into the sea atAptera ("wingless") where they formed the islands in the bay that were called Lefkai.[1]
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