Crete island

Crete (elsewhere Creta, Kriti/ Kreta) is  the largest Greek island and the fifth in Mediterranean covering 8.350 square km and   with a population of 650.000 residents approximately seems like a state into the Greek State.

Unparalleled in countless ways, Crete sets off from the rest islands for its controversial and ravishing relief, its worldly renown  deep-rooted history, its admirable culture, its people, even for its own dialect. 

Awe-inspiring mountain ranges of limestone and slate, with the  praised  Lefka Ori (White mountains) and Ida (Psiloritis) chains to be the dominants , dramatic gorges such as Samaria and gleaming plateaus with most famous the Omalos and Lasithi ones, rivers that cross verdant plains and fertile valleys, fabulous beaches and spectacular caves, all found in the same land. The island is a veritable paradise of rare species of fauna and flora while its excellent mild climate and the fertile subsoil has made it with self-sufficient in products. Olive oil, cheese, wine and the famous raki (made from grape distillation) fruits and vegetables are all known for their high quality.  It is no surprise that Cretan diet has been accepted as the best for promoting good health and long life.

The coastal resorts are internationally popular for their natural environment (including the spectacular beaches), their quality services, the intense night life and the abundance of choices that satisfy even the most demanding tastes and budgets. If you wish though, to learn what real Crete is all about, you should visit its mountainous villages, in which Cretan tradition and attitude is admirably vivid. The hospital locals will initiate you to the genuine Cretan way of life and thinking and of course.. to raki, their strong local drink.

Having a strategic geographical position, amidst three continents-Europe, Asia and Africa, Crete had always been a target of potential invaders throughout centuries and though several succeeded to dominate it leaving their cultural mark on the island, (among them the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians and the Ottomans),  they never truly managed to rule the tameless spirit of Cretans people, who are famed for their inherent pride, their hospitality, and mainly for  their passion for freedom and for life itself. These values have been reflected in battlefields, in their traditional music and dances; in all manifestations of their life.

Crete is divided in 4 prefectures; the Prefecture of Hania (Chania), of Heralkio (Heraklion/Irakleio), of Lasithi, and the Prefecture of Rethymno, capitals of which are the homonymous cities, all major pole of attraction. The capitals have retained more or less part of their traditional character, with Hania and Rethymno to be the most picturesque, yet the massive tourism and the fact that they are commercial and business centres of the corresponding prefectures have turned them nowadays, to modern cities with all pros and cons this  may imply; you may confront the hustle of an urban centre with  traffic jams and noise, yet you will also find  every amenity you  may need and they are a good point to start  exploring  the relative prefecture. Wander through their streets away from the centre and discover their real attractive identity.

Crete is a unique world of its own; an extraordinary amalgam of past and new;   of serenity and of adventure; of turbulent history and of pristine nature. Offering abundance for alternatives it is the ideal destination for every kind of tourism.

Historical profile:

Cretan mythology is something more that just a collection of various myths; in fact they present such coherence in time, events and heroes involved, that seems to be essential part of the island’s factual history.

It begins with Zeus the father of gods, who is said to be born in the Spileo Andro Dictaion
( Dictaio Cave) located in the Lassithi plateau.  His father, Cronos ( Cronus, Kronos), has been told by prophesy that one of his children would overthrown him, so he swallowed every infant that his wife, Rhea, bore him. When she was ready to deliver Zeus, Rhea gave to Cronos a stone wrapped in swaddle clothes, which he swallowed it. Rhea with the help of Uranous and Gaia went to Crete, where she delivered her son.
Zeus was nursed by Amalthea (Amaltheia/ Amalthia)  a nymph, represented as a sacred goat, whose one horn Zeus broke off accidentally and in order to recompense,  he  promised her that her horn would always be full of whatever fruits she wished. Another version refers that when the sacred goat died, Zeus in order to honour her, he made her a celestial star (constellation Capra) and her horn became the “horn of plenty” or Cornucopia.
When Zeus grew up, fell in love with Europa, princess of Phoenicia and disguised himself as a gorgeous white bull. Europa struck by its beauty, slid on its back. Then, Zeus adducted her and brought her to Crete where Europa bore him the sons Minos (Minoas), Radamanthis and Sarpedon.

Minos became king of Crete. During his reign, and under the guidance of Zeus, who every 9 years was delivering new set of rules to his son, the island developed a remarkable and powerful civilization that became worldly known as the “Minoan Civilization”.
Yet, Minos before claiming the throne, asked from the god Poseidon, as a confirmation of his right to rule, to send him a bull which afterwards would be sacrificed.  Poseidon emerged a white bull from the sea so beautiful, that Minos decided to keep it from himself and to sacrifice another bull instead. The god became so outraged that made Minos’ wife, Pasiphae to fell obsessively in love with the bull, with which she united giving birth to the Minotaur.

Minotaur was a monster with human body and head of a bull.   Minos confined the beast in a maze called Labyrinth that an ingenious Athenian craftsman, Daedalus, built. Minotaur was fed by human flesh and specifically by 7 noble maidens and 7 young men that Athenians every seven years had to send as a tribute for having killed one of the Minos’ sons.
But Theseus, prince of Athens couldn’t stand this, so he was offered to be one of youths sent in Crete in order to kill Minotaur. Ariadne, the Minos’ daughter, fell in love with him and wanted to help she gave him a spool of string- given to her by Daedalus . Tying the thread to the entrance of the Labyrinth Theseus could find his way out, as he did.  Theseus killed the beast and escaped with Ariadne from Crete.
When Minos discovered what had happened, he punished Daedalus and his son Icarus by imprisoning them to the Labyrinth. In order to escape, Daedalus made two pairs of enormous feather- winds held by wax.  He warned Icarus not to fly too high, for the sun would melt the wax, not too law for the winds would wet by the sea.
But Icarus didn’t obey his farther and flew so close to the sun,   that the wax melt, the winds came off and he drawn to the sea.

History
Archaeological finds testify that Crete has been inhabited since the 7th millennium BC and in the Bronze Age (around 3,000 BC) the development of the first, and most worldly known European civilization, begun. The civilization was divided by the archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans into three periods according to the finds: The Early Minoan (3000 -2200 BC), a transition period from the Neolithic Era, the Middle Minoan (2200 - 1500 BC), when the imposing palaces of Knossos and Phaestus were erected, the arts and the pictographic script of Linear A. were developed, and the Late Minoan (1500-1100 BC), when the grandeur started to fade out.

Yet, in order to study the sophisticated culture of this civilization, the Greek archaeologist N. Platonas adapted  the following division based on the destruction and restoration of the palaces :  the Prepalatian period  (2600-1400 BC), in which  the population built the first villages and the art  flourished, the Protopalatian (1900-1700 BC), when the palaces of Knossos and Phaestus were built and destroyed at the end of it by an earthquake, the Neopalatian (1700-1400 BC) , when the civilization reached at it speak, the places are rebuilt and Postpalatian (1400-1150 BC).

Around 1100 BC the Dorians invaded the island, whose culture and art assimilated the local cultural elements. During the Classical and the Hellenistic Times, Crete remained detached partly due to its geographical position and partly due to the fights among its population and in 69 BC the island was occupied by the Romans. At that time Crete became an important trade centre. In 325 BC it was incorporated in the Byzantine Empire and Christianity was initiated in the island. 
The Arabs dominated the island in 824 and set up the city of Al Khandak (Heraklio), followed by the Byzantines who ruled the island from 961 AD   to 1204, when they sold it to the Venetians who ruled the island for 450 years.    
Crete was occupied by the Ottomans in 1669 and the siege of the Heraklio city that lasted 22 years recorded in history. In 1770 Cretans rebelled and resisted bravely. From that time, the holocaust of the Monastery of Arkadi, in which Cretans  who had taken refugee in it, blew them up   in order not to fall in the hands of the Ottomans, became worldly known.
In 1898 the island won its autonomy and in 1913 became united with Greece thanks to the inspired statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. During World War II and in 1941 Germans invaded Crete with paratrooper forces. The resistance of Cretans- the famous Battle of Crete- arose the admiration of the whole world, since without means but with awe-inspiring courage, they massively and fiercely resisted.  Crete was liberated in 1945.

Besides its history, the island is also known for its rich cultural heritage. From ancient time art of all kinds was an indissoluble part of Cretan life. The vibrant traditional music is distinct for the sounds of lyra and for the mantinades (improvised rhyming couplets that are incorporated within the music).  This the homebirth of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), born in the village of Fodele, of the writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis, writer of “Zorba the Greek”, and “The Last Temptation of Christ”, of the Nobel-prize winner Odysseas Elytis, of Vinzentsos Kornaros whose “Erotokritos” became a national poem; of the composer Giannis Markopoulos and of the inspired politician Eleftherios Venizelos, just to mention a few of them.

Prefectures:

Hania Prefecture

The prefecture of Hania (Chania), with a population of 150,000 residents approximately and with some 2,400 square km in size, covers the westernmost part of Crete. It consists of 22 municipalities and capital of it, is the city of Hania.

The whole prefecture is an imaginative composition of nature. The imposing Lefka Ori (White Mountains range) which seem to divide the prefecture in two, is traversed by plenty of spectacular gorges with most famous for its beauty and size, the gorge Of Samaria (situated in the homonymous National Park) and the gorges of Therisos (Therissos) and of Imbros. Numerous densely green ravines and wonderful high plateaus    such as Omalos and Askifou, caves and rivers, fruitful valleys and verdant peninsulas, endless beaches and gulfs complement the charms of this land.
Due to its  mild Mediterranean  climate and it morphology,   Hania is a  safe shelter of rare  flora and fauna; oak,  pine and chestnut  trees crown steep summits, while in the countryside  fruit-bearing olive  and citrus trees,  vineyards,  herbs and   wildflowers create a majestic picture.
Archaeological sites of great importance can be found in this prefecture, since Its deep-rooted history dates back to the Neolithic Era, as it is proved by the settlement discovered in Kasteli site. Its capital, Hania, was an important centre since Minoan Era and medieval castles and Byzantine churches, Venetians buildings and minarets are evident of the strong Influences of the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish civilisations.

The coastline encompasses stunning lively beaches with crystalline waters, peaceful coves and delightful bays surrounded by amazing caves while diving in its fascinating underwater can be an unforgotten experience. The coastal resorts are highly tourist developed offering countless choices for accommodation and entertainment and the picturesque mountainous villages are definitely worth-visiting, if you wish to initiate yourself in the authentic Cretan tradition.

Hania (Chania), the capital the Prefecture and the second largest city, after Heralkio, with a population of 53,000 residents approximately, is ranked among the most picturesque cities of Greece. Built over the ruins of the Minoan city, Kydonia, the capital is renowned for its majestic blend of a cosmopolitan air and reminders of the past.
Its Venetian port with its long , always bustling with life, promenade, is  guarded by a  16th century Venetian-Egyptian  lighthouse, while at a  near distance  the waterside Castle of Firka  which today  houses the Naval Museum, and  the Turkish  mosque  add to the unique atmosphere of the city.
The city is divided in the New Town and the Old town.
In the new Town you will find developed tourist infrastructures, shops of any kind and the famous, large cruciform Public Market, an impressive building of 1911, in which you can find a great variety of local products, such as cheese, wine and raki, fresh vegetables, fruits and therapeutic herbs.
At a close distance the Public Gardens, a wonderful recreation centre, designed on European standards is an oasis in the centre of the town.
The old Town lies off around the Venetian port and enchants the visitor with its medieval walls, its narrow alleys, the well-preserved Venetian and Turkish houses and its lively neighbourhoods. The Cathedral of St. Francis (which today houses the Archaeological Museum), the mosque of Hasan Pasha, the Orthodox Church “Tris Martires” (the Three Martyrs”) and the Venetian Temple of San Salvatore are some of its remarkable building.     
The Splantzia quarter, where important finds of the Minoan Era have been found, is particularly atmospheric and here stands the Venetian Chapel of St. Rocco, the former Dominican monastery of St. Nicholas which was converted into a mosque during Ottoman occupation. Other notable places are the Halepa quarter, a historical one, in which the palace of Prince George and the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the statesman who joined Crete with the rest of Greece are found and also the Kasteli quarter that  was the acropolis of the ancient Kydonia (Cydonia). Though Old town has remarkably preserved its historical identity, has also become an important centre of night life in Hania, since plenty of its buildings have been restored and turned into stylish coffee-shops, chic bars and pubs.

For history lovers, there are many worth-visiting museums in Hania city such as the Archaeological Museum with interesting find from historical eras, the Historical Archive of Crete, housed in a magnificent neoclassical mansion and accommodates rare books, documents, photographs, coins and material concerning the political life of Crete up to the World war II, the Folklore Museum, housed in the fortress of Firka  where tool and objects of the daily life, embroideries and traditional costumes are exhibited, the Maritime  Museum at the entrance of  the fortress, which interesting collection of finds from ancient shipwrecks,   reproduction of ships  of Minoan, Byzantine and Ottoman period  and  important exhibits from the Greek War of Independence, the Battle of Crete and the Balkan wars.
The capital also presents an intense cultural life and frequently organizes or accommodates music festivals and performances of all kinds during summer.

Akrotiri peninsula lies off some 10kn northeast to the capital. It is a place of unspoiled natural beauty with beautiful hiking roots, caves and gorges to be explored.
The Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity),a imposing complex of Cretan architecture, the grave of Eleftherios Venizelos with magnificent view , the 15th century Monastery of Lady of the Angels  of Gouverneto as some of the worth-visiting sites.
In the small plateau of the peninsula is situated the airport of Hania and in the surrounding area is found the port of Souda. The peninsula encompasses some 20 villages with most known the Stavros village, a site of exceptional beauty in which scenes from the movie “Zorbas the Greek” were shot.

Elafonisi(Elafonisos)  islet is a tiny uninhabited one,  located some  80 km southwest to the capital. It is popular for the unparalleled beauty of its exotic beaches of pink-coral fine sand and turquoise waters and its astonishing underwater. Smooth dunes, delightful coves and the cedar forest on the opposite shore create a bewitching atmosphere.

Platanias   is a scenic coastal resort at a distance of 10 km approximately to the capital. Built on a hillock and near the homonymous river, it offers a magnificent view. It took its name by the plane trees existing at the river’s bank. The resort has a charming harbour and there are several splendid beaches as well as interesting caves in the surrounding area. In recent years there is a growing tourist movement which led to the expansion of accommodation and recreational amenities.

Sfakia (Hora/Chora Sfakion) village is located some 70 km southeast to the capital. Situated in the arms of a secluded harbour, surrounded by a austere mountainous landscape of wild beauty, is definitely one of the most genuine Cretan villages. Here Cretan tradition is the only way of life. Above the coastal village and built on a hill, there is the old, mountainous village of Sfakia that was destroyed in 1770 by the Ottomans.   Due to its location, Sfakia is renowned for the resistance it displayed throughout centuries to invaders, and its people are famed as being tough, remarkably pride and independent but also very hospitable and friendly.

Beaches:

The Prefecture of Hania offers a great variety of fabulous beaches, whether crowed or remote, known for their crystalline waters and their exciting underwater life.

On the northern part the Hania beach is a sandy organized beach with shallow waters close the capital, the Platanias beach, a long  sandy and quite crowded in summer,
the Falassarna  beach,  a peaceful sandy one with crystal clear waters, the Maleme beach, equally organized with fine sand and blue-green waters and Gramvousa beach, (accessible only by boat) with smooth white sand and fabulous  turquoise waters.

On the south part of the prefecture the most popular are the Golden beach (Chissi Akti) , a long-stretched organized sandy  one with clear shallow waters, the Paleochora beach with thick sand and sparkling waters, the Sougia beach, a  quite pebbly one with crystalline sparkling waters  located in a scenic environment , the Elafonissos beach, organized and  very popular –thus usually packed with people-  for its pinkish sad and its excellent shallow waters  and the  long sandy and organized beach of  Pahia Ammos with crystal clear waters.

Access:

Hania has its own port located in Souda (7 km from the capital) and is directly connected with port of Piraeus.
Alternatively, there are regular flights from the Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) and also from Thessaloniki and Rhodes airports to the international Airport of Hania “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” situated at the Akrotiri peninsula.   During summer season the airport of Hania receives charter flights for many European countries.

Heraklio Prefecture

Covering 2.650 square km and with a population of some 300,000 resident, the prefecture of Heraklio (Heraklion/Iraklio) is the largest in Crete and also its administrative and commercial centre. It consists of 26 municipalities scattered in a landscape of admirable contradictions, The imposing mountain ranges of Dikti and of Ida (Psiloritis) stand like natural boundaries separating the prefecture from Lasithi (Lassithi) and Rethymno ones correspondingly.    Dramatic gorges and caves, fertile valleys and plains on the central part with most known the plain of Messara, rivers and biotopes that shelter rare species of flora and fauna, spectacular beaches, secluded coves and delightful natural bays, compose the extraordinary relief of this prefecture.

An  area with a rich cultural heritage and   long history, which dates back to the Neolithic period and reached at its peak during the Minoan civilization, encompasses in its boundaries some of the major archaeological sites of Crete, including the ancient centres of Knossos, Phaestos (Faistos) and Malia (Mallia).  In later centuries the Arabs, the Byzantines and the Venetians left their mark on the territory, yet not on the spirit of the inhabitants whose love from freedom helped them to fiercely resist to the Ottomans who besieged the city of Heraklio for almost 20 years, before the city was taken in 1669. During World War II the locals bravely fought in the battle of Crete against Germans, paying a huge prize for their resistance and the city of Heraklio was severesly destroyed in its most part. Yet, important monuments of all historical eras have survived and today the Prefecture has highly developed its tourist industry offering abundant accommodation and recreational facilities, an exciting nightlife, and important cultural events.

Heralkio (Herakleio) city is the capital of the Prefecture, the largest in Crete with a population of some 130,000 residents and also its business centre. The city was first recorded by Strabo as “Heraklion’, seaport of Knossos, while in Byzantine times it was known as “Kastro” and the Arabs named it Al Khandak (Handakas /Chandakas) due to a defensive moat they created around the city, while the Venetians called it Candia. In 1922 was renamed as Heraklio.

Entering the new harbour, the first thing one sees is the nearby Venetian port, dominated by the 16th – century imposing fortress of Rocca Al Mare, which used as a prison and today is known as Koules, a name given by the Ottomans. 

The modern part of the city is surely not the definition of the “beautiful, picturesque city” as a big part of it was severely destroyed during World War II by booming and also by earthquakes. This led to a rapid reconstruction with a rather poor towing plan, causing all the consequent problems, such as   heavy   traffic jams and noise. Yet, today there is a serious ongoing attempt these problems to be limited. Nevertheless, Heraklio still is a city with developed tourist infrastructures, a rich cultural life, and intense nightlife and its preserved atmospheric character   hidden only a stone’s throw from its modern part.

The saved part of the old town is located inside the 15th-century Venetian Walls that surround it. The Walls is an exceptional example of fortification, in triangular shape and with a perimeter of some 5 km-probably the largest in Europe. They are adorned with four impressive gates from which only two are saved nowadays, with most known the so-called HanioPorta (Chanioporta).

In the centre of the city there is the Venetian Lotzia (Loggia), a magnificent and well-preserved two-storey building of the 16th century, where Venetian nobles used to gather and which today houses the Town Hall. The Byzantine church of Agios Titos (St.Titus) built in 961 a mixture of Venetian and Turkish architectural elements, the   remarkable 13th century   St. Marcus Basilica located, the fabulous fountain of Morozini or Liondaria that is elaborately adorned with four lions that support on their heads the circular bowl and the Cretaquarium, the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, are only few of the worth-seeing monuments in Heraklio city.

The city has also important museums; the Archaeological Museum with important exhibits from the Neolithic to the Roman Era with notable finds of the Minoan Period, the Historical Museum with collections from the Early Christian Times to the present day, the Museum of   the Battle of Crete and National Resistance with document and rare photographs and objects.

Arhanes (Archanes) Epano  town, located 16 km south to the capital and built on the verdant slopes of a hill is a scenic one. Traditional restored houses surrounded by blooming yards, delightful narrow alleys and beautiful churches create  an enchanting atmosphere, for which Arhanes has been awarded as the 2nd best restored village in Europe.

In the surrounding area major archaeological monuments have been discovered;  the Minoan Villa in Vathipetro site, a spacious mansion dating back to 1600-1500 BC with four impressive columns and important finds such as an oil and wine press and several other objects;  the  ancient cemetery at Fourni hill dating back to 2500-1250 BC in which  vaulted tombs and plenty of objects have been discovered; the Minoan Sanctum in the Anemospilia site, where  fragments  of pots and human skeletons have been discovered and the Ancient city with ruins of a Minoan Palace at Tourkogitonia site.

Knossos, just 5 km southwest to the capital, is worldly renown for its invaluable archaeological importance. Being the centre of the Minoan civilisation was a powerful state-city during ancient times and remained as such up to the Roman Times.
The first excavations were conducted by Minos Kalokairinos, a Cretan merchant bringing to light part of the city; yet extended excavations and restoration of the palace were made by the English archaeologist Arthur Evans who purchased the entire site by his own financial means.
The Palace which was surrounded by an entire city was built upon the ruins of the Old Palace that was destroyed possibly by an earthquake during 1700 BC. The most complex and grandiose of all Palaces, it was multi-storeyed and was covering an area of 22,000 square meters, it had three main entrances,  painted columns, four wings arranged round a central courtyard  and 1300 rooms connected with a maze of corridors. Royal residence quarters, storerooms, reception halls and workshops, a sanctuary,   a theatre and a throne room are some of its main features. Impressive frescoes, paintings and objects have been discovered revealing the developed and sophisticated character of this civilisation.    The figurine of the Snake Goddess, the wall paintings of Dolphin and of the Bull’s head, the Lily Prince and the Dancing girl frescoes, the Labrys, (the double axis) the holly symbol that was used in ceremonial and rituals are only few of the finds discovered at this Palace.

Malia (Mallia) 35 km west to the capital is a busy coastal resort, famous both for its archaeological sites and its hot nightlife that has been ranked it among the most popular in Europe mainly among youth. The resort has its own sandy beach and offers abundant of accommodation amenities.
Ruins of a Minoan palace, the third in size, have been discovered near the sea. Built upon the ruins of the old Place and  destroyed around 1.450 C., its  layout is similar to those of Knossos and Phaestos; a central court, a  grand staircase leading to the second floor, corridors that connect a maze of room of different use, such as storerooms, official an cult rooms, a theatre and a sanctuary. Recent excavations  which are still in progress, brought to light a complex of houses around the Palace, probably of the Protopalatian Period.

Furthermore, a Prepalatian Minoan cemetery in rectangular shape divided in rooms was   discovered in the Chrysolakos site, in which many finds of great importance have been found with most known the gold “bee pendant” which is exhibited in the Heraklio Archaeological Museum.

Matala, at a distance of some 70 km southwest to the capital is situated in the arms of a secluded natural cove. It is a tourist resort of astounding natural beauty which became known in the 60’s and early 70’s, when hippies from around the world occupied its impressive caves carved on the cliffs that are found on the edge of the beach. The caves which date back to Neolithic Age are artificial and were used as tombs during Roman period. Today they are protected by the Greek Archaeological Service. Matala was the port of the ancient city of Phaestos, but when Gortynians dominated it, it became   known as the port of Gortys. The settlement offers several accommodation amenities and promises a lively nightlife, while its sandy beach is considered one of the best in Crete.

Phaestos (Phaistos/Faestos/Faistos) is one of the most significant archaeological sites, located some 65 km southwest to the capital. Excavated in the early 1900s by the Italian archaeologist Federico Halbherr, is the second largest after Knossos’, Minoan Palace city, covering an area of 8,400 square meters. The Palace, that was home of Radamanthis, brother of the king Minos, as all the others was destroyed and rebuilt in 1700 BC. The layout is similar -yet less complicated than- the other palaces, having  equally imposing entrances, a central court, impressive propylon, a grand staircase, corridors adorn with exceptional frescoes  as well as royal, ceremonial and storage rooms. Yet, what makes Phaestos Palace unique is its dramatic location (built on a hill offering magnificent view to Mountain Ida and to Messara plain); the discovery of the old Palaces’ architectural structures -the best preserved in all Minoan Palaces- and    the fact that almost no reconstruction was necessary. The famous Phaestos disc which is exhibited in the Heraklio Archaeological Museum was found in this area.

Just 3 km northwest to the Palace, was found the ruins of the Minoan Villa, known also as the Little Palace of Agia Triada (named by the nearby village). It was built around 1600 BC and is believed to be the summer residence of the King of Phaestos. Though simpler that the great Palace was luxurious enough; a central court, a hall with columns, rooms with excellent frescoes, royal, archive   and servants’ rooms are only some of its structures, arranged in such a way that formed an irregular L. Excavations brought to light many finds of great historical value such as wall-paintings, vases and pots, shrines and Linear A tablets.

Northeast to the Little Palace many graves and vaulted tombs have been discovered as well as the famous stone sarcophagus of Agia Triada. Painted in vivid colours and depicting a preparation of religious rite, it is one of the most important exhibits of the Heraklio Archaeological Museum. 

The prefecture of Heraklio offers a variety of beaches with the most organized ones to be found in its northern part, while in the southern one, beaches are more peaceful, ideal for escaping from the crowd.

On its northern part, well known are the Agia Pelagia beach, located in a delightful bay and near to the homonymous tourist resort, an organized long sandy beach attracting plenty of visitors the  Ammoudara beach  a sandy beach with crystalline waters and organized only in some parts, the popular (and crowded)  Hersonisos beach, a long-stretched sandy one with green-blue waters  offering many facilities, the organized  beach of Stalida  with white sand and sparkling waters , near the homonymous resort and the beach of Malia with fine sand, excellent waters and well-organised.

Southern known beaches are the organized one of Matala, popular for its rocky cliffs, its golden sand and its splendid waters, the Kokkini Ammos beach, a spectacular sandy one with fabulous azure waters, the organized Analipsi beach, quite popular for its golden sand its fabulous clear waters and the   pebbled beach of Kali Limenes, that thought not organized here you enjoy its excellent waters in a wonderful scenery away from the crowd.

The Port of Heraklio is connected directly via scheduled trips with ferries with the port of Piraeus and with the port of Thesalloniki via several islands. It is also connected with the islands of TInos, Syros, Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Paros, Sikinos, Folegandros, Rhodes, Kassos and Karpathos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Allonisos.

Alternatively, there are regular flights to the Heraklio airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” from the Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). It is also connected with the airports of Thessaloniki,   Rhodes, Santorini, Mytilini, and Kos.  During summer season the airport receives charter flights for several European countries.

Lasithi Prefecture

Lasithi is the easternmost prefecture of Crete population of 76,000 residents approximately.
Its area of  some 1,800 square reveals a relief of unrivalled beautiful contractions; imposing mountains including Dikte and the Sitia mountains adorned with more than 1,300 caves  with most famous the Diktaion Andro, in which  according to myth, Zeus was born, dramatic gorges, wonderful plateaus with most famous this of Lasithi and Omalos, fertile valleys, and verdant peninsulas .
The villages scattered along the mountainous part of the prefecture have intense traditional colour and are definitely worth visiting, while in its extended coastline some of the most popular coastal resorts and stunning beaches of Crete, can be found such as Elounda, Ierapetra and Sitia.
The rich history of the area which dates back to the Neolithic Age and highly developed during Minoan Period is depicted in the archaeological sites, the Venetians fortresses and the Byzantines churches.
Lasithi has eight municipalities and its capital is Agios Nikolaos.

Built in the quaint bay of Mirabello, Agios Nikolaos is one of the most popular resorts due to its natural position and its qualitative tourist industry offering accommodation amenities for all budgets and a particularly lively nightlife for all tastes. Trade mark of the settlement is the small lake of Voulismeni, surrounded by a verdant landscape in which according to legend goddess Athena bathed in it. The Archaeological Museum that houses interesting finds from Eastern Crete and especially from Minoan Period, the Folk Museum with objects of daily use, embroideries, arms and local costumes and  the  Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos  in which excellent hagiographies of the 8th century are saved, are worth-seeing. Asset of the town are their nearby wonderful beaches of Ammos, Ammoudi, Almyros and Kytroplatia, all well organized and with sparking crystalline waters.

Just some 10 km north to the capital, lies off Elounda,  a highly attractive tourist destination  due to is cosmopolitan atmosphere, its fabulous beaches embraced by  delightful coves, its mountain traditional villages  and the plenty of sightseeing in the surrounding area. It is located in almost the same position of the ancient city Olounda (or Olous), one of the most developed in ancient Crete, part of which is today underwater, yet are clearly visible when the sea is calm. The ruins of the Early Christian Basilica with admirable mosaic floor, the Chapel of Evangelistria, with breathtaking view, the church of Agios Antonios found within a cave are among its interesting sight-seeing.
The charming quaint coastal settlement of Schisma (Shisma), is the main village of Elounda, is bustling with life and its beach is one of the best in the area. From here, boat excursions to the famous islet of Spinaloga, (also known as Kalidon) are regularly organized. The islet is uninhabited yet attracts plenty of tourists for its Venetian fortress, its well-preserved walls and its stunning small beaches.

Zakros village, situated 105 km approximately east to Agios Nikolaos, and perched on the slopes of a wonderful verdant hill is considered among the quaintest and unspoiled from massive tourism villages of the prefecture.  The village is divided to Epano Zakros, where you can find some descent accommodation amenities and Kato Zakros located around a beautiful cove.
The place became well-known when in 1961 excavations brought to light the remains of a fourth Minoan Palace-city, designed upon the same layout with the other three.
Worth-visiting sites in Zakros are the ruins of the Minoan Villa, the Church of Christ, and the   Spring, a site of outstanding natural beauty in Epano Zakros surrounded by planes and with running waters, the Gorge of the Dead, famous for its ravishing beauty and its caves that were used as tombs, and the Cave of Pelekita in Kato Zakros.

Ierapetra, the most popular and larger city of the prefecture lies off 35 km south to the capital. Built in the same location of the ancient homonymous city, today it is a modern one, with a flourishing economy mainly due to its excellent climate that favours agricultural production. It is divided in the new town called “Pano Mera” and the old quarter called “Kato Mera”. Pano Mera is well developed, offering all facilities one may expect from a contemporary city; accommodation amenities for all pockets, an interesting market, large squares and many choices for entertainment. The 13th-century Venetian fortress of Kales near the harbour, though ruined in its bigger part, still attracts plenty of tourists as an exceptional example of medieval architecture. The Archaeological Museum with collection finds from all historical eras such as statutes with most famous the one of Persephone,  figurines and inscriptions is definitely worth-visiting.
Kato Mera has carefully preserved its medieval atmosphere with its narrow cobblestone alleys and the delightful neighbourhoods. The fine mosque, the Church of Agios Nikolaos with remarkable icons, the house in which Napoleon is said to have stayed for one night in 1798, on his way to Egypt, can be seen here.

At a distance of some 70 km eastwards to Agios Nilkolaos, lies Sitia, a coastal resort built amphitheatrically in the arms of the homonymous bay. The town itself is a charming modern one. Though it is tourist friendly offering adequate tourist infrastructures, has not sacrificed its own identity, since tourism here plays auxiliary role to the economy which based mainly in agriculture. Its long promenade is always lively both by visitors and locals who are famed for their hospitality.
The town itself is a delightful mixture of traditional and Venetian architectural elements. The imposing Venetian fortress of Kazarma which overlooks the quaint harbour, the Archaeological Museum and the Folk Museum, the ruins of the Minoan settlement in the site of Petra and the Minoan necropolis in Agios Fokas site are only few of the worth-visiting areas.

Beaches:

Lasithi Prefecture boasts for some of the best beaches in Crete both for their natural location and their crystal clear waters.
On the north part of the Prefecture some of the best beaches are the pebbly beach of Agios Nikoloas, fully organized and tree-shaded, the organized busy beach of Elounda of fine sand and crystalline waters, and the pebbly beach of  Plaka located  in the homonymous village, with blue-green waters and tamarisk shade. Also, the long-stretched sandy beach of Almyros, with crystal clear waters and also well-organized, the equally long sandy and lively beach of Ammoudara, the beach of Chrisi Akti  with fine sand and turquoise waters , the fabulous  Pahia Ammos beach with golden sand and excellent clear waters found in a scenic verdant landscape. The extremely popular   for its exotic atmosphere beach of Vai,  with azure waters,  sand dunes and  the rare  palm-tree forest to compose a scenery of outstanding beauty is also found here.
The southern part of the Prefecture encompasses among others the  peaceful  beach of Kato Zakros in the homonymous scenic village, with crystalline wares and fine pebbles, the  organized long   Makrigiallos beach in the homonymous village, with white sand and blue-green clear waters, the sandy long-stretched and organized beach of Ierapetra with clear waters in which the famous scene of syrtaki dance in  “Zorbas the Greek’  was shot , the organized  beach of Agia Fotia in the homonymous village , with fine sand and sparkling waters and the remote beach at the Monastery of Kapsa, with turquoise waters and thick pebbles. 

Access:

The Port of Lasithi is located in Sitia and is connected with the ports of Rhodes, Kassos, Karpathos and Halki.

The airport of Sitia receives only domestic flights from Athens Karpathos and Rhodes but it is expected to receive also flights from abroad soon.

The Prefecture of Rethymno

Situated between the Prefecture of Hania to the west and the Prefecture of Heralkio to the east and with Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and the mountain Ida (Psilorities) to form its natural boundaries, Rethymno distinguishes for its impressive diverse relief; imposing mountains and low hills, spectacular gorges, sacred caves, fertile valleys and plains, smooth plateaus and splendid beaches compose a majestic landscape. Here quaint mountainous villages, keepers of the authentic Cretan way of life and cosmopolitan resorts coexist in harmony creating an enchanting contradiction.

Besides its natural beauty, the landscape is adorned with archaeological monuments, historical sites, and wonderful buildings of Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish architecture that witness the long history of this place which dates back to the Prehistoric Age and highly developed during the Minoan Period. The area continued to play important role throughout the Geometric, Classical, and Hellenistic Times. During the Venetian domination, culture flourished, yet the Ottoman occupation followed brought a period of decline. The inhabitants fought bravely during the War of independence in 1821 and the holocaust on the monastery of Arkadi in 1866, pasted in history when the abbot,   leaders of the revolution, women and children who had found shelter in the monastery, refused to give up o the Ottomans and blew themselves up.

The prefecture consists of twelve municipalities and its capital is the city of Rethymno.

Rethymno, the capital of the prefecture has a population of some 28,000 residents.
An amalgam of old and new, Rethymno is a modern city ensuring a comfortable and full of choices staying, yet in its old quarter it has admirably kept its unique identity, just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Venetian port dominated by a lighthouse. The old par of the city  is characterized by narrow alleys that lead to delightful neighbours, old well –preserved buildings, wonderful squares, Venetian ornate fountains and mansions, remarkable churches, mosques and minarets, captures the visitor  with its charming elegancy.
Trade marks of the city is Fortezza, the 16th-century, impressive for its size,  Venetian fortress which proudly stands on the hill of Paleokastro in the centre of the old town and the splendid, organized sandy beach that stretches just along the harbour,  lined with coffee-bars and taverns.
Lontzia (Loggia), an impressive example of renaissance architecture in the centre of the city, the nearby elaborate fountain of Rimondi, the mosque of Neratzes with its impressive minaret which today serves as a conservatoire, the remarkable basilica of St. Francis, the post-Minoan necropolis in the site of Armenoi and the Guora Gate, the only saved part of the city’s Venetian Walls, are worth-seeing.
Rethumno has a rich cultural life and important museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, housed in Fortezza, the Historical and Folklore Museum in a Venetian mansion, the Marine Museum with amazing collection of shells and species of underwater life and the Centre of Contemporary Art with interesting modern paintings. 

Agia Galini, some 55 km southeast to the capital, is situated around a beautiful bay. Built upon the ruins of the Minoan city of Soulia, it was an idyllic   fishing village that today has been transformed in a crowed tourist busy resort, due to its wonderful pebbly beach and its numerous   accommodation and entertainment choices. Yet, if you wander through its streets, you will discover some picturesque corners and quaint neighbourhoods.
On the contrary, the mountainous village of Anogia, some 55 southeast to Rethymno and perched on the mountain of Psiloritis (alt. 740 m) has been ranked among the most authentic in Crete. The village was destroyed by the Germans in 1994 as a counterblow for its fierce resistance and was rebuilt after the end of the War. Thus its   authenticity is not referred so much to its architecture (though it is indeed a quaint village), but mostly to the genuine Cretan way of   life that locals follow faithfully.  The village is also the birthplace of the great composers, singers, lyre-players, and also brothers, Nikos Xylouris (Xilouris /Ksilouris) and Psarantonis.
The village is an ideal starting point for exploring the Ideon (Idaion) Andro, the sacred cave that according to myth, Zeus was hidden and brought up and was a cult centre since prehistoric times, according to finds uncovered there.
The cave is located on the plateau of Nida, an area of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by Ida massive.

Spili village (30 km southeast to Rethymno) is another quaint mountainous village. Perched on a densely verdant hill, it offers a magnificent view. Impressively unspoiled, the village has charming houses, cobblestone alleys, an idyllic square surrounded by planes and a Venetian fountain with crystalline water pouring from sculptured lions’ heads. The village offers some accommodation facilities and has many coffee-shops and taverns.

Bali (some 30 km east to Rethymno) is a charming small seaside village, situated in the arms of a scenic bay. The village that has recently become popular for its beautiful landscape, its sandy idyllic coves and its fine beach offers several accommodation facilities. 

Argyroupoli , just some 20 km southwest to Rethymno, is mountainous idyllic village. Situated in a virginal green landscape the village distinguishes both for its natural beauty and its architecture. It is built upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lappa, some of which have been integrated to the construction of the present houses, while remains of Venetian mansions and Byzantines churches in the surrounding area add to the delightful atmosphere.
Don’t fail also to visit the Springs; a site of extraordinary beauty with lush vegetation, small waterfalls, lakes and old watermills.

Beaches

The Prefecture of Rethymno encompasses splendid beaches with the most popular and organized found in its northern part and more peaceful and pristine on its southern one.

The most popular northern beaches are the beaches  of Rethymno and of  Platanias both endless sandy ones, well organized and quite busy since they are near the capital, the beach of Missiria, equally sandy,organized beach with crystal clear waters, the blue-flag sandy organized beach of Koumbes, the organized  Geropotamos beach, with crystalline deep waters and a mixture of pebbles and sand, the Panormos beach near the quaint homonymous village, sandy and fully-organized and the beach of Bali in the scenic village, consisting in fact by  small beaches , some pebbled, others with sand, yet all with pale blue clear waters.

In the southern part of the prefecture are, the peaceful and  not organized  beach of Rodakino near the small homonymous settlement, forming by  several small beaches, the organized sandy  Souda beach with lovely waters,  the organized sandy   Triopetra beach with fabulous water, popular for its rocky scenery and the breathtaking sunset, the  long-stretched sandy beach of Agios Pavlos with marvellous green-blue waters,  the Agia Galini beach, sandy and well-organized, found in the homonymous resort. The Preveli beach (or Finikas) is unquestionably the most exotic and   popular of the prefecture. Embraced by a palm-tree forest, it has   soft sand and azure crystalline waters while the mouth of the river Kourtaliotis is united with the sea forming a delightful lagoon.

Access:

The Port of Rethymno is connected directly via scheduled trips with ferries and high speed ferries with the port of Piraeus. It is also connected with catamaran with the ports of Santorini, Ios, Naxos and Mykonos.