HERAKLION, 01.09.2025 – The municipalities of Minoa Pediada, Lasithi Plateau, and Hersonissos have established a formal partnership to co-organize the annual “Minoan Route” cultural heritage event. This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The collaboration was formalized during an initial working meeting at the Municipal Store of Kastelli. The meeting included Deputy Mayors of Culture and Infrastructure from the three municipalities, along with representatives from regional cultural associations. This marks the first time the three municipalities have officially united their efforts for this event. The objective of this broader cooperative framework is to improve the coordination and enhance the profile of the “Minoan Route,” which has seen consistently growing interest in recent years.
Historical Context of the Route
The “Minoan Route” is a modern event that revives the mythological journey of King Minos, the ruler of Minoan Crete. According to ancient sources, including Homer’s Odyssey and Plato’s Laws, Minos would travel every nine years to the Dictaean Cave to consult with his father, Zeus, and receive divine laws for his kingdom. This pilgrimage, believed to have started from Knossos and passed through the ancient city of Lyktos, is central to the Minoan reputation for justice and sophisticated governance.
The concept is rooted in the ancient practice of sacred pilgrimages, where movement through landscapes of natural and religious significance was undertaken to connect with the divine and reinforce community bonds.
The Modern Event: A Cultural Hike
The contemporary “Minoan Route” is a guided trek of approximately four hours that traces a segment of this ancient path. The route begins near the archaeological site of Ancient Lyktos (Kastamonitsa) and concludes at the Dictaean Cave, a site of major mythological and speleological importance.
The purpose of the organized hike is to familiarize participants with a path of significant natural beauty and historical value, introducing them to the history, legends, and local traditions associated with the area. During the walk, there are organized intermediate stations where participants are offered traditional Cretan hospitality.
This inter-municipal partnership aims to further develop the “Minoan Route” as a significant cultural and touristic event, highlighting the unique historical and natural heritage connecting the three distinct regions of Heraklion and Lasithi. Further details regarding participation will be announced by the organizers.