Platanias acquires the old Magistrates’ Court in Kolymbari

On Monday 10th November, the Ministry of Justice signed over the building which formerly housed the Magistrates’ Court (Eirinodikeio) in Kolymbari to the Municipality of Platanias for use by the municipality and local social organisations. At an announcement to the press the following day, the Deputy Immigration Minister and MP for Chania Sevi Voloudaki said that this was an issue which had been first raised with the then Justice Minister in 2021 [by her late husband, the Chania MP Manousos Voloudakis], but had ground to a halt. It had then been taken up again recently, initially with the Deputy Justice Minister Giannis Bougas and then the Minister Giorgos Floridis, resulting in the signing of a ministerial decision for the assignment of the building to the Municipality.

Deputy ministers Sevi Voloudaki and Giannis Bougas at the Ministry of Justice
Deputy Immigration Minister and MP for Chania Sevi Voloudaki, pictured at the Ministry of Justice with Deputy Justice Minister Giannis Bougas. Photo: Haniotika Nea.

It was, she said, a welcome piece of news which would enable the Municipality to carry out various projects which it had planned, the transfer only awaiting the formality of a signature by the Interior Minister in order to proceed. The Deputy Immigration Minister thanked the leadership of the Justice Ministry for the positive outcome of the issue, which she said emphasised the government’s determination to make use of empty public buildings for the benefit of local communities and the public administration.
(Haniotika Nea, 11/11/25)

Possible uses for the building
The building presents a modest frontage to the road in old Kolymbari, just before the entrance to the Mylos car park, but extends in depth towards the sea, and although in need of some cosmetic repairs, clearly affords a decent amount of space, with a ramp at the side for disabled access.

A number of possible uses spring to mind. The Municipality of Platanias has in the past advised the Chania Port Authority of the need for a harbourmaster’s office in Kolymbari in view of the increased use of the harbour following its redevelopment and the increasing numbers of both Greek and foreign visitors. The Magistrates’ building would have ample space for such a purpose and has the advantage of being practically on the waterfront close to the harbour.

Three pictures of the old magistrates'court.


In a letter addressed to the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy in June of this year, following the appointment of a new head of the Chania Port Authority, the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis said:
“Given the completion not only of the Harbour Works but of the land-side remodelling of the harbour zone, which has resulted in the full use of the fishing refuge at Kolymbari both by moored boats and by citizens using the modernised facilities, and as the previous management of the Harbour Board had acknowledged the importance of the Municipality’s request and had repeatedly given verbal assurances that it would be fulfilled, unfortunately to date there has been no such action… We once again request the creation of a Harbour Station so as to ensure the protection of the harbour’s installations and its orderly operation…” (Haniotika Nea, 30/06/25)

Another possibility which would undoubtedly be welcome to both locals and foreigners would be to create a local KEP, obviating the need for a 20-minute drive to the municipal offices at Gerani to obtain official stamps for the multiple documents required by Greek bureaucracy.