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| Crete Info |
| | History |  History Between 5700 and 2800 BC, Neolithic Cretans lived in caves or basic houses. These people were hunter-gatherers who also farmed and raised livestock. The Minoans arrived in Crete in about 3000 BC from North Africa or the Middle East, bringing with them the skills necessary for making bronze. The Minoans thrived, as their use of bronze allowed them to build better boats and thereby expand their trade opportunities. Around 2000 BC, they built their first palaces, and improvements in technology allowed them to produce fine pottery and jewellery. The Minoans became the first advanced civilisation to emerge in Europe.
The 'golden age' of the Minoans was from 1700 BC to 1450 BC. Palaces destroyed by a cataclysm in 1700 BC were rebuilt to a more complex design with multiple storeys, sumptuous royal apartments and reception halls and advanced drainage systems. Some wonderful frescoes were created during this period. Another cataclysm in 1450 BC brought Minoan civilisation to an abrupt halt.
Crete then underwent over three millennia of occupation by various forces. First were the Mycaeans from the mainland (1400-1100 BC), then came the Dorians, also from the mainland (1100-67 BC), although this period saw almost constant warfare between Crete's city states. The Romans took over in 67 BC; in 27 BC Gortyn (present-day Gortyna) became the capital of (and most powerful) city of Crete. When Rome's power declined at the end of the 4th century AD, Crete became part of the Byzantine Empire and was ruled from Constantinople (Istanbul). The Arabs conquered Crete in around 824; the Byzantines reclaimed it in 960 and sold it to the Venetians in 1204; it fell to the Turks in 1669 and became part of the Ottoman empire; it was given to Egypt in 1830, and returned to the Ottomans in 1840.
In 1898 the Turks were removed from Crete, which was then ruled by an international administration. Greece and, in particular, the world powers of the time resisted Crete's desire to be unified with Greece until 1913. A Greek invasion of Smyrna in Turkey was thwarted and the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 resulted in a population exchange - i.5 million Greeks left Turkey and almost 400,000 Turks left Greece. By 1935 a rigged plebiscite put King George II on the Greek throne.
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| Prefecture of Heraklion
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| Heraklion Town
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|  The area of the prefecture of Heraklion is 2,641 km2 and the population is 265,000 people. The prefecture lies between two of the largest mountain massifs in the centre of the isle of Crete. The morphology of the ground combines with a temperate climate to allow extensive agricultural activities. This explains the fact that the prefecture of Heraklion concentrates approximately half the population of the island while the per capita income is the highest on Crete. As the result of this economic growth the town of Heraklion (pop. 150,000) has become the centre of economic activity in the region of Crete and the host of the bulk of industries and services. The sea-port and airport of Heraklion are two of the main gates of Crete. In addition, the abundance of Minoan antiquities contributed significantly in the development of the tourism industry.
The tourist attraction of Heraklion necessitated the establishment of hundreds of hotel units strewn along the northern coast commanding the largest share of beds on Crete. In the lush valleys of the prefecture, south of the town of Heraklion, are found the vineyards and olive groves which produce the famous products of Crete. |
Knossos |  Knossos is the site of the most importance and the better known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros.
The site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.
The Linear B tablets (Mycenaean script) of the 14th century B.C. mention the city as ko-no-so.
Intensive habitation occured mostly in the Minoan period, when the so-called first (19th-17th centuries B.C.) and second palaces (16th-14th centuries B.C.) were built along with luxurious houses, a hospice and various other structures. After its partial destruction in 1450 B.C., Knossos was settled by Mycenaeans from the Greek Mainland.
The city flourished again during the Hellenistic period (sanctuaries of Glaukos, Demeter, other sanctuaries, chamber tombs, north cemetery, defensive towers) and in 67 B.C. it was captured by the Roman Quintus Caecilius Metelus Creticus. The "Villa of Dionysos", a private house with splendid mosaics was built in the same period. |
Phaistos
 Phaistos was one of the most important centres of Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. It was inhabited from the Neolithic period until the foundation and development of the Minoan palaces in the 15th century B.C.
The Minoan city covered a considerable area around the palatial centre. After the destruction of the palace in the 15th century, the city continued to be inhabited in the Mycenaean and Geometric periods, that is, until the 8th century B.C.
Later, the temple of Rhea was built to the south of the old palace. The Hellenistic city was extremely prosperous; houses of the period are to be seen in the west court (upper terrace) of the palace. In the middle of the 2nd century B.C. it was destroyed and dominated by the neighbouring city of Gortyn. Traces of habitation dating from the Venetian period are scattered in the whole area. |
Prefecture of Chania | | Chania Town |  The city of Chania is built at the site of ancient Kydonia which flourished from the post-minoan years until 824 when it fell to the Arabs. In 1645 it was conquered by the Turks who never managed to establish their rule over the region, especially the greater area of Sfakia.
The District of Chania with three sides on the sea occupies the west end of Crete. Its total area of 2376 square miles is divided into five provinces: Kydonia, Apokoronas, Kissamos, Selinos and Sfakia. Distance from Piraeus is 157 nautical miles (11 hours by boat).
The extended coast line, the voluptuous White Mountains, the abundance of water and fertile land have been major landmarks of the region over the centuries. Majestic mountains alternating with the sea -calm or rough at times-, wild gorges and green stretches of land synthesize a unique locale. |
Samaria Gorge |  Classified as a National park, Samaria Gorge is one of the most spectacular natural parks in Europe. Starting south of the settlement of Omalos, 42 Km south of Hania, spans for 18 Km as far as the south Crete coast.
The only way to see the gorge is to walk through its entire length, sometime between May and October when passage is permitted, but rest assured that the five or so hours that you spend in this gorge will award you with incredible views.
Take the pedestrian path walk at Xyloskalo, the gorge's entrance, and start your descend in the gorge. After about three hours of walk at a normal pace, you will have descended by 700 meters of altitude on a zigzag path that brings you to the deserted village of Samaria with its 14th century chapel. You will notice that although the sun is high in the sky, the gorge is always in the shadow.
Used as a hide out during war years, is now haunted by the Cretan "ibex" known as "Kri-Kri", the chin bearded wild goat of Crete with thick, curved, ridged horns, and only if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of one. Equally rare is "Dictamon" a herb very much appreciated locally, found on the cliffs of the gorge.
One mile before Agia Roumeli at the southern exit of the gorge, is the famous "Sideroportes"(Iron Gate), where the rock wall rises 300 meters on either side of the passage, only 3 meters wide.
Remember that the walk through is a one way venture as you start from an altitude of about 800m above sea level going down to zero. For this reason you will probably use public transport from Hania to arrive early morning in Omalos, and at midday you can catch a boat from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion. From there, again by bus, you will arrive exhausted back to Hania to meet your transport.
Alternatively you can buy this excursion as a package sold locally in many resorts. You will be picked up from your hotel, very early in the morning and will be brought back in the evening. A slightly more expensive method but worth trying it. |
Prefecture of Rethymno | | Rethymno Town |  Another option for a port of arrival is the city of Rethymnon which is a mixture of high end tourist resorts and a traditional inner harbour of old buildings. Most of the tourist activity and nightlife is located on the road behind the town beach, but some of the best beaches on the island are a short distance away to the west where development is not as advanced as it is toward Heraklion. There are long stretches of sand and you may find yourself alone, but be aware that there can be strong currents and there are no lifeguards.
Rethymnon is thought by many to be the most cultural city on Crete and it is similar in style to Chania with it's charming Venetian quarters of winding streets and beautiful balconies.
The city's ancient ancropolis is Palekastro Hill. A 16th century fortress stands on the hill and massive walls provide beautiful views over the town and harbour. It's a great site to explore.
The Arkadiou Monastery between Rethymnon and Iraklion is a 5th century holy site that became a symbol of Cretan restistance on November 9th 1866 when hundreds of refugees and revolutionaries chose death over surrender to the Turks and blew themselves to pieces with the gunpowder that was being stored there by the Cretan Revolutionaries. The monastery was rebuilt again and is well worth the visit. |
Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon |  Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon has been housed in the pentagonal building opposite the main gate of the Fortetsa. The building was constructed by the Turks in an effort to strengthen the city's defence. Due to the different functions that it served over the centuries - until the 1960's it housed the civic prison - its original form has been significantly altered. The museum contains the following collections: Late Neolithic (3500-2900 B.C.) and Early Minoan (2800-2100 B.C.) finds from the caves Gerani, Melidoni, Margeles and Helenes finds from the buildings at Apodoulou, Monastiraki and the peak sanctuary at Vrysinas, dated to the Middle Minoan period (2100-1600 B.C.) Late Minoan finds (1600-1100 B.C.) from the cemeteries, the most representative being that of Armenoi finds of the Geometric (1000-700 B.C.) and Archaic (700-500 B.C.) periods from Eleutherna and Axos finds from Stavromenos and Argyroupolis (ancient Lappa) dated to the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. |
Prefecture of Lassithi | | Agios Nikolaos |  The town center of Agios Nikolaos is a bottomless lake, which is actually not a lake because it is connected to the sea and is not bottomless because it does not go all the way to the other side of the earth. But it is deep enough for the retreating Germans to dump all their tanks during WWII, and nobody has seen them since.
Now the descendants of those same Germans can frolic in the sea and in the pubs with the descendants of the British people they fought, while being served by the ancestors of the farmers who defended their land with muskets against those tanks at the bottom of the bottomless lake.
Indeed ‘Agios' as it is called in it's shortform, is an interesting town, somewhat less so in the summer when it is so packed with tourists that the local buses can barely get through the streets. Nearby is the Elounda Beach, one of the most well known and successful resorts in the country. There are enough sandy coves and beaches along the coast so you can get away from the crowds if you want though you probably won't find solitude unless you head inland.
Although 'Agios' once had the reputation of a party town, the area is now more likely to attract couples, young and older, and has a charm which is a far cry from the popular image which is still being banded about by guide books which were written ten or fifteen years ago |
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