829 listings found

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.

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

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

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."

Voroi, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Voroi, a historic Cretan village in the Messara Plain, boasts a history dating back to the Early Minoan era. Near ancient Phaistos, Voroi's name may derive from King Radamanthys' grandson. It served as the Pyrgiotissa province capital during Venetian and Ottoman rule and played a role in Cretan uprisings. Today, Voroi thrives with agriculture, including olives and vineyards, and cultural tourism. The Museum of Cretan Ethnology and preserved traditional architecture are highlights. Population data shows consistent presence through the centuries, from 312 residents in 1583 to 729 in 2021.

Agios Ioannis, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Agios Ioannis, a historic village in Crete's Messara Plain, is near the Minoan palace of Phaistos. First mentioned in 1577, it's the birthplace of New Martyr John (Arnautogiannis), martyred in 1845. The village features the Church of Saint Paul and an early Christian baptistery, along with the ruined Aghios Georgios Falandras Monastery. Its history includes Venetian and Ottoman rule, and it's now part of the Phaistos municipality. The local economy is based on tourism and olive cultivation.

Kalamaki, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Kalamaki is a modern seaside resort on Crete's south coast, developed since the 1970s. Located 67 kilometers southwest of Heraklion, it offers a long sandy beach on Messara Bay and proximity to archaeological sites like Phaistos, Kommos, and Matala. This growing village caters to families and tourists seeking a relaxed beach holiday. It is part of the Kamilari community, and features a beach that is a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles. Access is via roads from Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno, with bus services available during summer.

Pitsidia, Phaistos

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Festos, Heraklion
Pitsidia, a historic village near Kommos beach, blends rich history, beautiful beaches, and a thriving local economy focused on tourism and agriculture.

Sivas, Phaistos

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

Kato Krya, Siteia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Lasithi, Siteia
Kato Krya 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 town Siteia and 5.6 kilometers away from Lithines

Plakiotissa, Archanes – Asterousia

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

Ligortynos, Archanes – Asterousia

Category: Areas of Interest, Villages
Region: Gortyna, Heraklion
Ligortynos 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

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

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