Kostas Koukourakis (Κώστας Κουκουράκης) is one of those rare people whose life is deeply woven into the fabric of western Crete’s mountainous heart.For three full terms (1999–2010), he served as Mayor of Innachorio (Δήμαρχος Ιναχωρίου), the small rural municipality that once embraced villages like Vlatos, Milia, and the surrounding valleys. In those years, he worked tirelessly to protect the area’s natural beauty, promote sustainable tourism and agriculture, and preserve what makes this hidden corner of Kissamos so special — from its gorges and forests to its olive groves and quiet traditions.
Even after the 2010 Kallikratis reform merged Innachorio into the larger Municipality of Kissamos, Kostas continued as a municipal councillor, always speaking up for the hinterland. He has been a vocal defender against threats to the environment, such as the proposed gypsum mine near Elafonisi and Stomio/Vathi, arguing passionately that development must never come at the cost of pollution, tourism, or the pristine Natura-protected landscapes he helped safeguard during his mayoral years.
But Kostas is not just a politician — he is a true local. He owns the historic Venetian Moderini Villa (Βίλα Μοντερίνι) in Vlatos itself: a beautiful old stone manor from the Venetian era, surrounded by his own olive trees and vineyards. This property is more than land — it’s a living piece of Cretan history, tended with the same care he has always shown for the wider region.He is also a longtime friend of George Makrakis (from their school days together), sharing a deep bond with one of Vlatos’ most beloved figures and the heart of Milia Restaurant. Their friendship reflects the warmth and interconnectedness of village life here — people who know each other for decades, support one another, and quietly keep the community strong.
Kostas embodies the values that define Vlatos: respect for the land, commitment to sustainability, and a love for the simple, authentic Cretan way. Whether advocating for clean beaches and protected forests, tending his vines and olives, or staying connected to old friends like George, he has always worked to ensure the mountain villages thrive without losing their soul.In a world that often moves too fast, Kostas Koukourakis reminds us that true leadership is rooted in place, in people, and in preserving what generations before us held dear. Vlatos is lucky to have him as one of its own — a guardian of our past and a quiet builder of our future.If you’ve ever walked the trails of Innachorio, tasted the local olive oil or wine, or felt the peace of Vlatos, you’ve benefited from the kind of steady care Kostas has given this land.