748 listings found

Lagou, Lasithi plateau

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

Lyttos (Xidas), Minoa – Pediada

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Minoas - Pediada
Lyttos (until 1987 known as Xidas) is a village in the Municipality of Minoa Pediada, Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. It is located at an altitude of 510 meters on […]

Patsideros, Minoa – Pediada

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Heraklion, Minoas - Pediada
Choumeri is a settlement located in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Minoa - Pediada

Anopoli, Chersonissos

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

Aitania, Chersonissos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Chersonissou, Heraklion
Aitania, a village in Heraklion, Crete, is 20 km from Heraklion. Its name is believed to be a corruption of the ancient city of Diatonion. Aitania is recorded in a Venetian document from 1212 as "Icania." The Venetian census of 1583 lists it as "Itagnia Cato" with 112 inhabitants and "Itagnia Apano" with 85 inhabitants. On October 12, 1856, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 8.2 struck Crete, causing significant damage and resulting in the death of 40 people in Aitania. In 1954, archaeologist N. Platon excavated a small, cave-like carved tomb west of Aitania at a site called "Fonias." The tomb contained approximately thirty Geometric period vessels. The village square is a central gathering point for residents and visitors, with traditional cafes. The Cultural Association of Aitania organizes a Cretan feast in the square every year on August 15th.

Panagia Kardiotissa near Voroi

Category: Areas of Interest, Religion POIs
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Former monastery north of Voroi, Crete. Features a double-aisled church with late 14th-century frescoes. Generally closed to the public.

Ancient Elyros

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Kandanos - Selino
Ancient Elyros, situated on Crete's 'Kefala' hill near Rodovani, originated in the Early Iron Age and thrived until Late Antiquity. Named after the mythical son of Apollo, it became a major urban center in southwestern Crete during the Classical period, known for trade and weapon manufacturing. As a leading city in the Oreioi League (formed in the 3rd century BC for security and economic reasons, including Hyrtakina, Lissos, Poikilasio, Syia, and Tarra), Elyros maintained external connections before the league's likely dissolution before 183 BC, a period when it was at war with Kydonia. The Roman era marked a time of flourishing for Elyros, evidenced by the "Philosopher of Elyros" statue. The city featured fortification walls, an aqueduct, cisterns, and a theater. Elyros minted its own coins, indicating autonomy, with emblems similar to Hyrtakina's. Its territory included the port of Lissos, a key economic contributor and religious center with an Asklepieion, as well as the coastal cities of Syia and Poikilasio. Archaeological findings suggest communication with mainland Greece, North Africa, and Southern Italy. Notably, Elyros had a local workshop producing unique glass pyxides. A rural sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon was also found in the 'Tsiskiana' area, likely under Elyros's jurisdiction.

The Ancient Port of Lissos

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania
Lissos, an ancient Cretan port city, was a vital healing center and trade hub. It served the inland cities of Elyros, Hyrtakina, and Tarra. The sanctuary of Asklepios attracted pilgrims seeking cures.

Hyrtakina

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Kandanos - Selino
Hyrtakina, an ancient Cretan city, thrived in the Oreia region near the White Mountains. As a member of the League of the Oreioi, it played a role in regional security and economic development. The city's strategic location on 'Kastri' hill was fortified by double walls. Hyrtakina's autonomy is evident from its unique coinage, featuring a wild goat and a bee. Trade connections extended to mainland Greece, North Africa, and Southern Italy, as shown by archaeological finds. The city's peak was in the 4th century BC, coinciding with its coin minting. Hyrtakina's agreement with Cyrene for grain supply highlights its interaction with other Mediterranean cities. The city was abandoned in Roman times.

Polyrrhenia: Fortifications and Acropolis

Category: Areas of Interest, Fortifications
Region: Chania, Kissamos
Polyrrhenia, an ancient city in western Crete near Kissamos, was occupied from the Iron Age to the Byzantine era. Its strategic hilltop location was protected by Hellenistic and Roman fortifications. The Acropolis featured a Byzantine castle, an early Christian basilica, and a potential temple to Artemis. A sophisticated water system, including an aqueduct with a defensive tower and underground reservoirs, sustained the population. The 19th-century Church of the 99 Holy Fathers incorporates ancient materials from the ruins.

Polyrrhenia

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Kissamos
An Ancient City of Western Crete Polyrrhenia, also known as Polyrrenion, was a city in ancient Crete, located on the northern coast of the western part of the island . […]

The Ancient City of Falasarna

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Kissamos
An ancient city on western Crete, with history from the Neolithic (c. 3500 BCE) to its Roman conquest in 67 BCE. A fortified Hellenistic maritime power involved in trade and piracy, it rivaled Polyrrhenia. Excavations have uncovered a Temple of Demeter with Archaic Daedalic offerings and a 4th-century BCE fortified harbor. The harbor's towers were destroyed by the 365 CE earthquake. Today, the site is a protected archaeological park with ongoing research.

Minoan tholos tomb at Maleme

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Platanias
The Minoan tholos tomb at Maleme, Crete, is a remarkable example of Bronze Age funerary architecture. Located near the village of Maleme in western Crete, the tomb is known for […]

Rokka archaeological site

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Kissamos
Located inland in Kissamos, western Crete, on the slopes of Troulli hill. This protected archaeological site dates to the Hellenistic period (4th-2nd century BC). Its identity is debated, possibly being the ancient city of Keraia or linked to the "Koinon ton Modaion." The settlement features unique architecture with houses, cisterns, and stairways carved into the limestone. A necropolis with rock-cut tombs has yielded artifacts. The modern village hosts the annual Giortes Rokkas festival to promote cultural heritage and repopulation.

Pergamos Ancient City

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest, Uncertain location
Region: Chania, Platanias
Pergamos (Πέργαμος) was a city of ancient Crete, founded in the 8th century BC. It was one of the hundred cities of Crete mentioned by Homer in his works. It […]

Katre, an Ancient City of Crete

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Sfakia
Katre, an ancient city of Crete, is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. While historical and archaeological evidence about Katre is limited, its strategic location and mythological connections suggest a place […]

Aptera

Category: Archaeological site, Areas of Interest
Region: Chania, Chania municipality
Aptera was an ancient Greek city-state on the northwest coast of Crete, strategically positioned on a plateau overlooking Souda Bay. This advantageous location provided natural defenses and allowed the city […]