In search of the Minotaur and its labyrinth
The most active and largest region of Creteis Heraklion. The island's capital of the same name, named after Hercules himself, is also located here. On the map, the nome borders Rethymno and Lasithi, and is washed by the Cretan and Libyan seas. It is in this district that the famous Knossos Palace is located - the center of the Minoan civilization, recognized at that time as one of the most developed. It was even dubbed the first skyscraper in the world, since before it there was not a single building that had more than one floor. In addition, it had a sewer with flushing, running water and artificial lighting. Considering that it was built around 4000 BC, one can sincerely wonder how this was done. Unfortunately, the palace did not survive to this day, and today we can only see its restored copy. However, the myths that surround it attract crowds of visitors from year to year. They say that King Minos, the son of Zeus himself, lived here, and supposedly the no less famous labyrinth of the Minotaur was also located here. Whether the Minotaur existed or not is anyone's guess, but there were certainly labyrinths. Historians and archaeologists claim that the palace had more than 1,300 rooms, it could accommodate 12,000 people, and its total area was 16,000 square kilometers. Considering that it had many dead ends, secret halls and passages, and the rooms were located on different levels, getting lost in the palace during its existence was truly scary.
Attractions of the great Heraklion
Another landmark on the map of Crete— the medieval sea fortress of Koules. The purpose of its construction was to protect the area fenced off by the mole. Now it is mostly just a tourist attraction. But in Turkish and Venetian times, the fortress housed a prison, and anyone can walk through its narrow corridors for 2 euros. In addition, you can climb to the roof of the fort and admire the view of Heraklion from there. While walking around the city, be sure to visit Old Heraklion and Kornarou Square, where the oldest fountain in the region is located and a Turkish gazebo, which has been converted into a cozy cafe. Another outstanding fountain is located in the center of Venizelos Square, so it is not difficult to find it on the map, and it is called "Morozini". Four marble figures of lions support the fountain bowl, where the statue of Poseidon with a trident, destroyed by an earthquake, was previously located. The fountain pool is decorated with relief images of mythical creatures, dolphins and nymphs. The place is quite noisy, attractive for tourists and families with children, however, there are many small cafes with affordable prices and Wi-Fi nearby. Tired of long excursions and walks under the sweltering sun, you should go to El Greco Park, which, by the way, is located almost in the center of Heraklion, not far from the aforementioned Morosini Fountain. Here you will not find pompous sculptures and outstanding sights, but you can relax in the shade of dense greenery and tall trees. A separate spectacle is the largest port in Crete. This is an important transport hub connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. You can spend hours admiring the huge luxury yachts and white sailboats moored near the shore.
Ancient and mysterious Rethymnon
Moving west from Heraklion, we find ourselves inRethymno is another city on the map of Crete rich in attractions. The most famous of them is the Fortezza fortress, which keeps all the secrets of history in its thick walls. Travelers say that it will take more than one hour to walk around the entire fortress and capture the views spread out around it on camera. The island, and Rethymno in particular, is rich in ancient cathedrals, monasteries, and mosques. Those wishing to get acquainted with the religion of Crete can visit the Preveli Monastery with the miraculous cross of Ephraim of Preveli and the Church of St. John the Theologian, the Cathedral in Rethymno, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Kotsifou gorge, the Arkadi Monastery, the Ibrahim Khan Mosque, located in the Fortezza fortress. Geographically, Crete is Greece, its integral part. However, walking along the streets of the island's cities, it is impossible not to notice the influence exerted on it during the Turkish and Venetian rule. This is primarily indicated by the style of architecture. For example, in Rethymno there is a fountain that is not inferior in its originality to the famous "Morosini" in Heraklion. Created in 1626 and executed in the style of the masters of Venice, it looks like three lion heads built into a marble wall, from which water flows and falls into small ponds of the fountain. And in Rethymno there is the Old Venetian Harbor, although small in size (5250 sq. km), but still accepts small ships and is popular among visitors and locals.
Bright colors of picturesque Chania
On the way to the most remote region of Crete— Chania, we recommend visiting Lake Kournas and admiring its beauty. Here you will find not only stunning mountains and nature, but also various entertainments, such as a river tram, catamarans, numerous taverns on the shore. A close acquaintance with the city of Chania should begin with a walk through the Old Town, recognized as the most beautiful in all of Crete, the embankment and the harbor. You should also include in the excursion program a unique natural monument - the Samaria Gorge, considered the largest canyon in Europe. In 1962, it was given the status of a National Park. Today, you can find about 400 names of rare plants and animals, which the island is rich in. Another wealth of Crete is the fortresses. In Chania, there are ruins of the ancient fortress of Aptera, which at one time was a developed trading port city. Today, tourists can admire the remains of a theater and a sanctuary from the legendary Hellenistic era, when Greece was going through its most difficult period in history, the ruins of a necropolis, aqueducts and the rectorate building from Roman times, the monastery of St. John the Theologian, reminiscent of the Byzantine period. No less famous is the Gramvousa fortress, which served as a refuge for fighters for the liberation of Crete in 1825. Its height is 130 meters above sea level, and the length of the walls is 1 km. You can get to the fortress by excursion boat, after which you can walk 850 meters on foot. The attractions do not end there. The Botanical Garden, the Turkish Lighthouse, the Cathedral of the Three Martyrs; small villages that have preserved the ancient traditions that Greece is so proud of; the covered city market Agora, opened in 1911; Eleftherios Venizelos Square - All this attracts guests of the island of Crete, who have chosen the city of Chania as their holiday center. This is a quiet place on the map, full of attractions and beaches, but not occupied by tourists. Here, nothing distracts or prevents you from enjoying your holiday.
The homeland of Zeus and thousands of mills
There is also something to see in the east of the island.The Lassithi region is extremely popular among tourists. Attractions such as the Valley of a Thousand Windmills and the Cave of Zeus attract visitors here. According to legend, the Olympian god, worshiped by all of Greece, was born here. Now this place can be visited by anyone. It is located at an altitude of 1050 m above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Dikti. The road to the cave is not the easiest, so you should be patient and wear comfortable shoes. At the foot of the mountain, local cabbies offer their services, from whom you can rent a donkey. Animals, it must be said, are stubborn and willful, and therefore such an ascent can take even more time than walking. But having overcome the distance and ascended to the top, you will have a grandiose view of the Lassithi Plateau - a spacious valley surrounded by high hills and mountains. The cave itself is unremarkable from the outside, but once inside, you freeze in its grandeur. Everything looks mysterious and fantastic, as if transferring from the real world to the world of ancient Greek myths. Stalagmites and stalactites create bizarre vertical figures that cause a pleasant shiver and unimaginable delight. And at the bottom of the cave there is a lake in which archaeologists once found ancient gold jewelry, weapons, bronze figurines. Today the lake is full of coins left by tourists, throwing them in order to return here again one day. What is also interesting about the Lassithi plateau is the widely known Valley of a Thousand Windmills. Previously, there were as many as 7,000 of them here. Local residents used them to irrigate their lands, extracting water from the depths of the earth, but over time this method became obsolete and out of 7,000 mills, only a few remained to attract tourists. Also on the map of Crete there are many small colorful villages, such as Anogia and Loutro. In the first one you can admire hand-woven items of local craftsmen and fabrics with traditional Cretan motifs, nearby is the cave Sfedoni with colorful stalactites and stalagmites, which is more than 8 million years old. The village of Loutro is beautiful because it is completely isolated from the outside world, you can only get to it on foot or by boat, however, it is ideal for a secluded holiday and merging with nature.
Natural wealth of the Greek island
Greece is famous for its huge number of picturesquecorners, from where stunning views of the blue expanse of water and harmonious reliefs of the land open up. The leader in the number of such places is undoubtedly Crete. On the map of the island you can find dozens and hundreds of bays, coves, beaches, lakes, mountains, confirming that the most beautiful sights were created by nature itself. Proof of this is Balos Bay. It is located on the northwest coast of Crete, where three seas intersect at once: the Aegean, Libyan and Ionian. The water in the bay shimmers with 14 shades, the magnificence of which takes the breath away from everyone who observes this picture. Another fascinating and breathtaking place on the map is the White Mountains of Lefka Ori, from the height of which you can see the unforgettable beauty of Crete. And to visit the most beautiful beach in Europe, just visit the island of Chrissi. The transparent waters of the Libyan Sea allow you to see colorful fish even without a mask and deep diving, and the soft white and pink sand will make your vacation even more enjoyable. Greece is a very hospitable and welcoming country. Having visited Crete, you will see for yourself and will definitely want to come back here again, which is what you should do.
