'Zorba the Greek' Red House at risk of structural collapse

Tuesday, 9 June 2026/Source: Cretan Magazine/1 min read

The historic "Red House" of Madame Hortense, located in the Kokkino Metochi area near Chania, is at risk of structural collapse. The building gained international fame as the inspiration for the home of Madame Hortense in the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek," starring Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates. A heritage committee is meeting this Wednesday to decide the fate of the building and determine what intervention, if any, will be taken to preserve it. The site holds significant cultural value for fans of the film and of Nikos Kazantzakis, whose novel inspired it. Visitors interested in Zorba-related history should be aware that the building is currently not safe to approach closely. The outcome of Wednesday's committee decision may affect whether restoration efforts are launched in the coming months.