CRETE
Crete, blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine every year and has, at last count, something over 25 million olive trees and a population of less than 600,000 living on its 8,300 square kilometers. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean that lies at the point where the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa meet. The island has an elongated shape, 260 km long from west to east and is divided into four prefectures Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklio and Lassithi, which are between 15 and 60 km wide. The coastline is over 1000 km long and consists of both sandy beaches and rocky shores. The rest of the island is sparsely populated, with large tracts of mountainous areas frequented only by shepherds.
Out in the dark blue sea there lies an island called Crete, a rich and lovely land, washed by the waves on every side, densely peopled and boasting ninety cities.
Homer Odyssey 19, 172-174
Together with all the former attractions, the island has a rich archaeological heritage.150 km from Chania, in the prefecture of Heraklio and eastward, are the remains of the palaces and cities (Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, etc.) which are of the Minoan settlement, who developed one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, which flourished between 1700 - 1450 B.C. Then with the invasion of the Achaians and later the Dorians (11th century B.C.), new cities were built, such as Aptera (17 km. from Chania) and Lato. Among the remains of Byzantine culture on Crete are the masterful mosaic floors and the churches decorated with frescoes dating from the 10th to the 16th centuries.
Crete fell into the hands of the Arabs In 824 till 961 which was when Handak today known as Iraklio was founded. In 1204 the island was then passed to the Venetians who reinforced older fortresses, such as Koule in Heraklio, and built new ones in places such as Gramvousa (45 km from Chania), Spinalonga (near Aghios Nikolaos 200 km from Chania), Frangokastello (85 km), Ierapetra (250 km), and Paleohora (70 km). We can still admire Venetian edifices such as the great walls of Chania, inside which we find narrow streets with squares, fountains, churches and Venetian houses. In 1645 the Muslim conquered the island for the first time and in 1669 the whole of Crete fell into the hands of Turks, it was not until 1913 when the island of Crete was united with the rest of Greece.
The spirit of Crete is reflected large in the island's landscapes, its soaring mountains and fertile plains, in the palaces of the Minoan area and the castles, mosques and minarets of Venetian and Turkish conquerors. Above all it is in the traditional hospitality of its people with their infectious love of life and enjoyment of simple pleasures. Thus Crete is a land for all temperaments, blending fascinating layers of history with a proud and thriving folklore in a powerfully beautiful setting.
Homer Odyssey 19, 172-174
Together with all the former attractions, the island has a rich archaeological heritage.150 km from Chania, in the prefecture of Heraklio and eastward, are the remains of the palaces and cities (Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, etc.) which are of the Minoan settlement, who developed one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, which flourished between 1700 - 1450 B.C. Then with the invasion of the Achaians and later the Dorians (11th century B.C.), new cities were built, such as Aptera (17 km. from Chania) and Lato. Among the remains of Byzantine culture on Crete are the masterful mosaic floors and the churches decorated with frescoes dating from the 10th to the 16th centuries.
Crete fell into the hands of the Arabs In 824 till 961 which was when Handak today known as Iraklio was founded. In 1204 the island was then passed to the Venetians who reinforced older fortresses, such as Koule in Heraklio, and built new ones in places such as Gramvousa (45 km from Chania), Spinalonga (near Aghios Nikolaos 200 km from Chania), Frangokastello (85 km), Ierapetra (250 km), and Paleohora (70 km). We can still admire Venetian edifices such as the great walls of Chania, inside which we find narrow streets with squares, fountains, churches and Venetian houses. In 1645 the Muslim conquered the island for the first time and in 1669 the whole of Crete fell into the hands of Turks, it was not until 1913 when the island of Crete was united with the rest of Greece.
The spirit of Crete is reflected large in the island's landscapes, its soaring mountains and fertile plains, in the palaces of the Minoan area and the castles, mosques and minarets of Venetian and Turkish conquerors. Above all it is in the traditional hospitality of its people with their infectious love of life and enjoyment of simple pleasures. Thus Crete is a land for all temperaments, blending fascinating layers of history with a proud and thriving folklore in a powerfully beautiful setting.
