ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Crete is well known for its vast array of ancient archeological sites which can be found throughout the island.

KNOSSOS

It is the most important centre of the Minoan civilization and is found on the 5 km southeast of Heraklion.  There visitors may admire different monuments such as the Palace of Knossos, the room with the frescos, the royal tomb and many other monuments.

FESTOS

There  visitors may admire the Palace of Festos, that is one of the most important Minoan palaces and the second in size following the Palace of Knossos. It is built on a hill at the western edge of the largest and richest plain of Messara.

SPINALONGA

The islet is found at the northern entrance of the Gulf of Elounda, in a key-location for the supervision of the natural post.  On the ruins of the ancient castle, the Venetians build a powerful fortress.  The life of the settlement was abruptly disrupted due to the political developments in Crete during the end of the 19th century. In 1903, the independent Cretan State introduced a law confining lepers and decided to create a leper hospital on Spinalonga.

FORTETZA

This is a Venetian fortress, built on the hill of Palaiokastro, where the acropolis of ancient Rithymna and the temple of Rokea Artemis were found. Today it is the most important monument of the city of Rethymnon.

GORTYNA

The ruins of the ancient city, the acropolis and the necropolises extend to an area of around 4.000 acres. Some of the most important monuments and archaeological assemblies of the area is the Odeon of Gortys, the temple of Saint Titus, the temple of the Egyptian Gods, the temple of Apollo and more.

MALIA PALACE

The archaeological area of Malia is found 37 km east of the city of Heraklion on the northern coast of Crete. The Minoan palace of Malia is found on the eastern side of Malia in a exquisite location by the sea.