Crete
Herakleion - Knossos
The most famous archaeological site on Crete. It contains the ruins of the largest and most
luxurious Minoan palace, built in the middle of a large town. The first palace was built around 2000 B.C. and destroyed
around 1700 B.C. The second one was built immediately afterward , more magnificent than the first. This was also destroyed,
around 1500 B.C., most likely by the terrible eruption of the volcano on Santorini. The excavations were carried out in 1900
by the English archaeologist Arthur Evans who then reconstructed certain sections of the ruins.
The Minoan Period
The beginning of the Minoan Period coincides with the beginning of the Bronze Age. The new civilization
which would develop on and would come to dominate the island for 1,200 years was brought to Crete around 2,600 B.C. by a people
out of Asia Minor. Perhaps other people also came there from Egypt and Libya but they did not, however, have any relationship to
the races of the Egyptians and the Semites. It is probable that all these newly arrived people belonged to the Indo-European race.
Unfortunately, we do not know what language they spoke, just as we know very little about the history of Minoan Crete in general.
Second Byzantine Period
The Arab occupation of Crete was a thorn in Byzantium's side and they often tried to retake it, without success.
The unsuccessful campaigns came to end in 961 when the Byzantine General Nikephoros Fokas captured Crete after fierce battles.
Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, Elafonissi
Down on the south-west extremity of Crete is a bay with enormous black rocks. On the highest one of them is
perched the most beloved but also the most remote monastery.
Palaiochora - Kastelli Kissamos
A market town with a spectacular sandy beach and warm sea. It is even suitable for swimming in winter.
It is built on the site of ancient Kissamos, the port of the ancient town of Polyrrenia. Later, when it was occupied by the Romans,
a new theater and Roman villas were built on top of the old town. The town then passed to the Arabs, and later the Venetians, who built
a small castle (Kastelli) from which it took its new name. Kastelli is the capital of the Province of Kissamos, known for its superb wine.
It has a harbour and is connected by a ferry boat to Gytheio.
This site hosted by
Get your free home page
