748 listings found

Minoan villa at Kalamaki

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Minoan villa at Kalamaki, Crete, near the Sfakoryako stream. Archaeological findings from the 1978 & 1979 surveys suggest a thriving Minoan settlement in the region.

The Abandoned Village of Sfendyli

Category: Areas of Interest, Ruins
Region: Chersonissou, Heraklion
Sfendyli, a village in Crete, Greece, is now partially submerged under the Aposelemis Dam reservoir since 2012. Documented as early as 1577 and once a fiefdom during the Venetian era, the village was abandoned after residents were compensated. The fluctuating water levels create a spectacle for visitors. The 14th-century Byzantine church of Agios Theodoros remains. Nearby, a Minoan cemetery with 65 skeletons was discovered, adding to the area's historical significance.

Kainourgio Chorio, Chersonissos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Chersonissou, Heraklion
Kainourgio Chorio, a historic village in Crete, boasts a rich history dating back to the Second Byzantine period. Despite its name, meaning "New Village," it has a long and storied past evident in its well-preserved landmarks. The village, located in the Municipality of Hersonissos, is nestled at an altitude of 220 meters. Kainourgio Chorio is home to the Foscolo Tower, a Venetian-era fortified residence that later underwent modifications during the Ottoman occupation. The village also houses the Church of Panagia and Agia Paraskevi, adorned with surviving fragments of frescoes from the Venetian period. The Venetian wine presses, some of the largest in Crete, stand as a testament to the region's historical wine production. The Wine Museum, donated by Ioannis Papadakis, offers a glimpse into the region's winemaking heritage, showcasing preserved wine production facilities and a collection of wines.

Smiles in Amari

Category: Areas of Interest, Ruins
Region: Amari, Rethymno
Smiles, an abandoned village in Crete, holds remnants of a long history. Explore its Byzantine churches, tragic past, and current state.

Gourgouthoi abandoned village

Category: Areas of Interest, Ruins
Region: Amari, Rethymno
Gourgouthoi, an abandoned village in Crete's Amari Valley, bears a history from the Venetian era, with records dating back to that period. The village features 15th-century churches like Agios Georgios (Merkatone) and Zoodochos Pigi, as well as a 14th-century Byzantine church, Agios Ioannis Prodromos and Agia Anna, with fresco remnants. In 1944, Nazi forces destroyed Gourgouthoi, executing male residents, leaving ruins and a few seasonal residences. Located 42 kilometers from Rethymno, at 680 meters elevation, the area is known for fruit trees and natural springs. The name possibly derives from "gourgouthos," meaning small water pools, or Latin "gurguetium," meaning hut.

Votomos lake in Zaros

Category: Areas of Interest, Environmental POIs
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Votomos Lake, or Zaros Lake, is a man-made water body in Crete's Psiloritis southern slopes, established in 1987 from a pre-existing wetland. The area, known for the "Zaros" bottled water, signifies "place of much flowing water." It offers trout and salmon farming, dining, recreation, and serves as a trailhead for the Agios Nikolaos Gorge, leading to the Rouvas forest. The lake's creation reflects water management and recreational development in the region, blending natural spring origins with human-engineered enhancements, and local legends that speak of the origins of the lake.

Hermitage of Agios Efthymios

Category: Areas of Interest, Religion POIs
Region: Festos, Heraklion
The Hermitage of Agios Efthymios is a cave hermitage in Crete with frescoes and the saint's tomb, offering a glimpse into the ascetic tradition of the island.

Agios Nikolaos monastery, in Zaros

Category: Areas of Interest, Religion POIs
Region: Festos, Heraklion
The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Zaros is a historic monastery in Crete with 14th-century frescoes and an interesting history.

Venerato, Heraklion

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Heraklion municipality
Venerato, a village in Crete's Heraklion region, 19.8 km from Heraklion city, bears Venetian origins, likely a noble retreat. Historical records from 1583 note its size. It is a thriving agricultural community with modern amenities like schools and a medical center. Notable figures, including Patriarch Nectarios of Jerusalem, were born here. Once a larger settlement, its population was 593 in 1583 and 836 in 2011. The village's name derives from the Italian "venerato," meaning "respected."

Protoria, Archanes – Asterousia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Archanes - Asterousia, Heraklion
Protoria is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Archanes - Asterousia and is 16.4 kilometers away from the town Arkalochori and 3.6 kilometers away from Pyrgos

Lagolio, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Lagolio is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Phaistos and is 4.4 kilometers away from the town Tympaki and 9.7 kilometers away from Moires

Genna, Amari

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Amari, Rethymno
Genna, in Crete's Amari Municipality, features a rich history from Minoan to Venetian eras. The village houses a Late Minoan III chamber tomb and a Hellenistic-Roman cemetery, linking it to ancient Sybrita. Historical records note Venetian and Ottoman presence, with documented population changes. The area, known for its fertility, includes 14th-century churches with Byzantine frescoes, such as Saint Onoufrios and Saint Stephen. An ancient olive tree, over 2000 years old, stands nearby, reflecting the village's agricultural heritage. The village also has a spring with potable water and a shaded area.

Avrakontes, Lasithi plateau

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Lasithi, Lasithi Plateau
Avrakontes is a settlement located in the Lasithi regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Lasithi plateau

Prinias, Gortyna

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Gortyna, Heraklion
Prinias is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Gortyna

Georgioupoli, Apokoronas

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Apokoronas, Chania
A seaside tourist resort in the Apokoronas region of Chania, Crete, located 40 kilometers from Chania and 20 from Rethymno. The village sits on a plain at the estuaries of the Almyros and Perastikos rivers, with the former creating a notable lake biotope. Historically the site of the Roman city of Amphimalla, with evidence of Minoan habitation, the area also saw Venetian and Ottoman fortifications. Originally called Almyroupoli, it was renamed for Prince George. Today it is known for its long sandy beach, a central square with eucalyptus trees, a small harbor, and the iconic whitewashed chapel of Agios Nikolaos at the end of a long sea pier.
Kalavros, Siteia

Kalavros, Siteia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Lasithi, Siteia
Type: simple
Kalavros is a settlement located in the Lasithi regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Siteia and is 12.6 kilometers away from the […]

Antiskari, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion
Antiskari is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Phaistos

Roukani, Heraklion

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Heraklion municipality
Roukani is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Heraklion and is 12.4 kilometers away from the town Krousonas and 4.4 kilometers away from Profitis Ilias

Charakas, Archanes – Asterousia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion
Charakas is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Archanes - Asterousia

Sokaras, Gortyna

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Gortyna, Heraklion
Sokaras is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Gortyna