Zaros

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In James Aldridge's 1944 novel of the escape of a Greek partisan and two Australian soldiers after the Battle of Crete The Sea Eagle, the three are befriended and shaved by a barber in Zaros (called "Saros" in the text). This literary moment places Zaros in the context of World War II history, specifically the aftermath of the Battle of Crete. The village's real-world geography—at an altitude of 340 metres, 44 km from Heraklion at the southern foothills of Mount Psiloritis—provides the setting for this fictional encounter. The novel's characters find refuge and a simple human kindness in the village, which today still offers hospitality through its couple of hotels and tavernas serving trout.

In Their Own Story

The barber in Zaros—called Saros in the text—did not ask questions. He simply took the razor and lathered the faces of the Greek partisan and the two Australian soldiers, all three escapees from the chaos of the Battle of Crete. The barber worked in silence, knowing that any word could betray the men hiding in his shop. When he finished, he handed them bread and pointed toward the Rouvas Gorge, part of the Psiloritis mountain range, where the E4 European Walking Path would lead them to safety. The water mills that had been working since the 16th century continued to turn nearby, indifferent to the war.

Reader's Guide

Zaros village is accessible by road, 44 km from Heraklion at the southern foothills of Mount Psiloritis. Visitors can stay at a couple of hotels in the village. The local population produces olive oil, sultanas, vegetables and spring water. A couple of tavernas serve trout. The nearby Rouvas Gorge is part of the Psiloritis mountain range and lies on the E4 European Walking Path, a hiking route. Traditional water mills that have been working since the 16th century are located nearby, along with archaeological sites and monasteries. Lake Votomos is the source of Zaros's famous bottled water. The municipal unit covers 71.803 km2 (27.723 sq mi) and had a population of 2,565 in 2021.

Did You Know?

• Zaros village sits at an altitude of 340 metres.
• The municipal unit has an area of 71.803 km2 (27.723 sq mi).
• Population in 2021 was 2,565.
• Traditional water mills near Zaros have been working since the 16th century.
• In James Aldridge's 1944 novel The Sea Eagle, Zaros appears as 'Saros' where a barber befriends and shaves three escapees after the Battle of Crete.