Glance in History
Historical data for the region run back to the Minoan era. The excavations revealed a Minoan tomb type in Kastello and finds in the cave «Korakia». Archaeological sites are also found in areas south of the village Georgioupolis which was the ancient Amfimalla, east of the settlement Drama (ancient or Ydramia Ydramio). The ancient city was built in the hill Kefala and was the ancient port of the city Lappas (current Argiroupoli). The archaeological findings, which are kept in the Museum show that the city was in the later Minoan period (1580-1100 BC) and had the greatest prosperity in the Roman period. And Final, in the settlement "Kavallos", north of the lake, remains from the Roman era were found, and furthermore, placed on the banks of the existence of a temple dedicated to Korisia of Athena.

During the Byzantine time, the area was managed by the noble family of Melissinos. Important activities in the region has shown that during the 11th century monk who founded John Xenos in the Dramia the Monastery of St. George (Douvrika). Through the will of the monk, valuable information in given in relation to the development of wine growing, beekeeping and the planting close to the river Mousella. Since the beginning of the 13th century Crete was under the influence of the Venetians. The literature mentioned the names of villages that existed then: Azogeromuri, Chrussopoli, Castelo, Mathe, Flachi, Dramia, Curna, Calamitsi Amigdalu. Then the settlements which were in development were in the mountains and such items have a natural defense (tops of hills). The bay Almyros were ideal for military landing, so the Venetians built a fortress there.

From the Temple of Athena Korisias, to the "infamous" Straights of Almyros
The fort Almyros was the focus of many diekdikitikon battles in the coming centuries to conquer the region until its destruction in 1821 by rebels Cretans. During their rule, the Turks, built with stones of the castle ruins another stronghold near the precedent for this and later demolished. The area around the ruins of two fortresses named «Kastellakis» or «Paliokastella». The infamous «Straits Almyros» at the mouth of the river, became a refuge bandits and smugglers, and one passer not avoid apta hands. It is said that there were black gold of the Turkish lira. The river was navigable and the mouth of offering refuge to young sailing up and 500 meters from the sea, while in the north bay where there was a small sailing ellimenizontan steam. To the east, you small island now connected to the mainland by about a century, a sailor built the church of St. Nicholas, protector of seafood. In south and west of the region, several fortifications of the Turks and rebels, witness the long history of the place.

A town that emerged from the Swamp
«As the eyes see, many trees and bushes and high aeithaleis but rushes huge and thousands of frogs, the ntelalides malaria». This describes a European traveler in the 19th century the region, for fear of bandits people left uncultivated, thus forming a member, a source of terrible epidemic malaria decimated the inhabitants of surrounding areas. In this wilderness in 1880, reaching a trader from Athens, which understands the value of the region and decides to exploit the rich waters of the river for farming. The Papadogiannakis Miltiades, who was born in Kalamitsi, build a house in «Kastellakis» and tries to convince the inhabitants of nearby villages and authorities, to help the State apoxiranei and irrigation fields. Alone, despite adversity, the work begins. Gradually, and assistance is waiting until 1893, the area attracts new residents, the marsh dried, planted hundreds of eucalyptus and other trees and opens a small town with the name Almyroupoli. In 1899, in honor of the arrival of the Commissioner Prince George and the upcoming Union with Greece, renamed the Almyroupoli in Georgioupolis. Later, defined as co Sfakia in the prefecture, the first mayor of the founder, Miltiadis Papadogiannaki.