Agia Galini is set at the ancient Minoan city of Soulia, one of the 100 cities of Crete mentioned by Homer. It was a place of worship with a temple dedicated to goddess Artemis, a place that stood still until the 7th century when it was ruined by a pirate attack. Remnants of its former glory can now be found at the village’s church. The area’s bay was later used for ship anchorage, as the perfect place to load munitions during the wars of 1821 and 1866 and as the ultimate spot for olive trade. The village was first inhabited in 1890 and was named by the Empress of Byzantium Athinais who faced a big storm during her journey of exile to Africa and begged Virgin Mary for sea calmness (galini) until she reached the shore. Suddenly the sea became calm and the Empress with her crew safely reached the shore. To honour Virgin Mary, they built a church named Agia Galini, featuring today the village’s cemetery.