Listed 100 (total found 283) sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "HERAKLIO Prefecture CRETE" .
AGIA PELAGIA (Port) HERAKLIO
Agia Pelagia is 20km west of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Rethimnon
highway. Agia Pelagia was the site of an ancient Greek city. It is not clear which
one it was, but some assume that it was Apolonia, the city that was destroyed
by the Kydonians at 171 B.C. The name Agia Pelagia originates from the monastery
of Agia Pelagia, approximately 1km west of the bay. In the wall of the old monastery
there are two shields in relief and between them a coat of arms.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
AGIA TRIADA (Archaeological site) TYMBAKI
Agia Triada is 64km southwest of Iraklion via the Iraklion - Agia Varvara - Agii Deka - Mires - Festos - Agia Triada road. It is very near Festos. During Minoan times a road ran from Festos to the royal palace of Agia Triada. This palace, or villa, may have been the summer residence of the kings of Festos, although this remains a mystery.
AGIA VARVARA (Municipality) HERAKLIO
This municipality is located in the centre of the Heraklion prefecture,
and according to some, in the centre of Crete. It is surrounded by 8 different
municipalities: to the north, Gorgolaini, Tetrachoriou and Temenos; to the east,
those of Nikos Kazantzakis and Asteroussia; those of Kofinas and Gortys to the
south and finally, to the west, the municipality of Rouva. This municipality includes
seven of the former communities: Aghia Varvara, Aghios Thomas, Moulia, Douli,
Larani, Megali Vrisi and Prinias. The municipality covers a surface of about 10.000
ha., from Malevizi to Monofatsi and the Kenourio province; it has over 5.000 inhabitants.
Geographically, the municipality lies at the foot of the Psiloritis mountain,
at 530 m above sea level, and is one of the main thoroughfares leading up the
mountain. It forms part of the mountainous landscape of the island.
The main sources of production are agriculture (olive trees and vineyards)
and cattle raising (sheep). Other activities in the region are the following:
olive oil production, cheese and dairy production, distillation of "tsikoudia"
or "raki", as well as commercial activities and public services.
Aghia Varvara is the chief town (seat) of the municipality with the
same name. It has a population of more than 2.000 inhabitants and is 30 km away
from the city of Heraklion, by the road that leads from Heraklion to Aghia Varvara,
Moires and Phaistos, one of the main highways crossing the island from north to
south.
Municipality Tel.: +3 0894 23741 & 23742
Fax: +3 0894 23743
Historical Background
The municipality has a rich archaeological and cultural past. The
ancient city of Rizinia was located on a conspicuous height (686 m) near the settlement
of Prinias. This height, also known as 'Patela of Prinias', is only accessible
from the west.
The panoramic view extends as far as the island of Dia in the Cretan
sea to the north, and to the Paximadi island to the south, in the Lybian sea.
It was the Italian School of Archaeology that excavated in 1906-1908 the ruins
of ancient Rizinia, a city of importance from Post-Minoan to Hellenistic times
(1600 to 67 BC). Its most notable monuments belong to the Classic period of the
7th and 6th centuries BC.
The location was highly strategic: Rizinia lay half way between Knossos
and Gortys, the two largest cities in Crete, one to the north, the other to the
south, and from the Patela height, the town commanded a large area. The ruins
of an imposing Hellenistic castle have been found (330-70BC), built from stones
cut out of more ancient buildings and tombs. Some of the stones bear inscriptions
and are incised with different shapes: on one there is a female figure wearing
a long chiton, holding a spindle and with a half-filled distaff on the lower part.
On another, a warrior, with helmet, shield and lance. These stones come from a
burial site belonging to the first Hellenistic period. A great number of sherds,
votive clay objects and figurines have been found among the ruins of ancient Rizinia,
as well as the remnants of two temples. One of them, to the east of the site,
was dedicated to the goddess Rhea and from the charred bones that were excavated,
it seems obvious that animal sacrifices were held there. Many sculptures in porous
stone were found in and around the temple, and are now in the Archaeological Museum
of Heraklion. Close by, the cemetery was excavated, bringing to light interesting
objects found in the tombs.
According to many archaeologists, the ancient town of Panona was located
not far off, where the village of Aghios Thomas now stands. Around the village
there are many caves, cisterns and a beautiful wine-press, all cut out of the
rock.
The Sights
A visit to the municipality of Aghia Varvara is indispensable for
those who want to get to know Crete, especially the hinterland. There are many
sites of interest for the visitor.
Archaeological Sites
Ancient Rizinia and the cemetery at Prinias. Tombs carved out of the
rock and the wine-press at Aghios Thomas.
Natural Sites
The valley of Prinias, the Perdikokorifi at Prinias, the Acropolis
at Rizinia, the unique "forest" of oleanders in Crete, and the drive
from Moni Kardiotissa to Aghios Antonios in the Aghios Thomas area.
The height of Taga with the Aeolian park, between Aghia Varvara and
Moulia, and the hill at Anemomilos.
Churches and Chapels
The churches of Aghios Ioasaf, Spiliotissa, Kardiotissa, Aghios Antonios
in Aghios Thomas.
Byzantine churches of Profitis Ilias, Aghios Giorgos in Aghia Varvara
and Aghios Ioannis in Megali Vrisi, and the old monastery of Aghia Pelagia. The
church of Zoodochos Pigi in Ano Moulia, those of Armiri and Aghia Anna in Megali
Vrisi, and the church of Aghios Nikolaos in Douli. The municipality of Aghia Varvara
has a unique richness in flora and fauna, of great interest and beauty.
Communications
The municipality has good paved roads linking all the villages to
each other and making access easy to all the sites.
There is a bus service from Heraklion to all the villages in the municipality,
leaving every half hour from the square Machis Kritis at the Chanioporta in Heraklion.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Interkriti URL below, which contains images.
AGIA VARVARA (Village) MONOFATSIO
This unimposing town is the crossroads for various excursions. Agia
Varvara 30km southwest of Iraklion, is located at important crossroads to the
Mesara Plain and south of the Psiloritis Mountains towards Rethimnon. The excursions
from Iraklion towards the important archaeological sites of Mesara go through
Agia Varvara. The resorts towns of Matala and Agia Galini that can be used as
the basis for excursions in Mesara are to the west of Agia Varvara (Agia Varvara
- Agii Deka - Mires - Matala or Agia Varvara - Agii Deka - Mires - Timbaki - Agia
Galini).
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
AGIES PARASKIES (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
The village of Agies Paraskies is 20km south of Iraklion, on the road
Iraklion - Kounavi - Agies Paraskies, and has a good view of the valley of Peza.
AGII DEKA (Village) HERAKLIO
The town of Agii Deka is 44km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion -
Timbaki road. The town and the Byzantine church of the Agii Deka (Ten Martyrs)
have been named after the ten martyrs. The Romans beheaded these men about 250
A.D., after they refused to worship the Roman pagan idols. An earlier church has
been excavated beside the newer church of Agii Deka.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
AGIOS IOANNIS (Village) TYMBAKI
The village of Agios Ioannis is very near Festos and contains an interesting
Byzantine church.
AGIOS MYRON (Village) MALEVIZIO
The village of Agios Miron is 19km southwest of Iraklion on the road
Iraklion - Voutes - Agios Miron. Agios Miron is the site of the ancient city Ravkos
which flourished during the Greek era. It was an ally of Gortyn against Knossos
and Lycastos. In 166 B.C. Gortyn and Knossos signed a treaty and since then no
signs of Ravkos appear. The village is prosperous and presently produces raisins
and wine. Agios Miron is an important Byzantine site. It was probably the bishopric
of Knossos during the first Byzantine period, as it continued to be in the second
Byzantine period. In the village is the church of Agios Miron.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
AGIOS THOMAS (Village) AGIA VARVARA
Agios Thomas is 30km southwest of Iraklion on the road Iraklion -
Venerato - Agios Thomas. Agios Thomas is believed to be the location of the ancient
Greek city Pannona. Several remains have been found in the area. In addition,
there are several interesting Byzantine churches nearby. This small village is
between Psiloritis and the Dikte Mountains of Lassithi. It separates the Mesara
Plain from the north. During the Venetian era it was a large town that the Turks
destroyed in 1821 and 1866. Archaeologists discovered ancient Roman tombs, cisterns,
and early Greek writing in the area. The area of Agios Thomas was reputed to have
had 38 churches in the past.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
AGIOS VASSILIOS (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
The village of Agios Vasilios is 21km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion
- Knossos - Kounavi - Agios Vasilios road and the area includes several Byzantine
churches.
ALAGNI (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
The village of Alagni is 25km from Iraklion on the road Iraklion -
Arkalohori. The area has several Byzantine churches.
ANO ASSITES (Village) MALEVIZIO
The village of Ano Asites is 27km southwest of Iraklion, on the Iraklion
- Agios Miron - Kato Asites - Ano Asites road. Near Ano Asites there is an interesting
Byzantine church.
ANO MOULIA (Village) AGIA VARVARA
The village of Ano Moulia is 32km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion
- Agia Varvara - Ano Moulia - Agii Deka road and has the Byzantine church of Agii
Apostoli.
Various WebPages
ANO VIANNO (Village) HERAKLIO
From Pirgos to Ano Viannos it is 35km. The scenery is pleasant, but
the drive is long and tiresome. Ano Viannos is 65km southeast of Iraklion on the
road Iraklion - Arkalohori - Ano Viannos. In the wider area of Viannos there are
Byzantine churches, Minoan remainders and clean beaches. The famous early twentieth
century journalist, Yannis Kondilakis, came from this village . During World War
II, the Germans killed 400 women and children and razed the villages of the area.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
APINIO (Village) KOFINA
This village is located at a height of 320 m above sea-evel, a short distance of Sokaras, to the north of Asimi. It is mentioned in the 1583 Register with 280 inhabitants. Residents of Apoini found an important collection of ancient coins in the ruins of Velouli in 1957, but nobody knows what has become of it.
ARKALOCHORI (Small town) HERAKLIO
The town of Arkalohori is 33km southeast of Iraklion. People from
Iraklion and Lassithi go to the well-known Saturday market here. In the village
cemetery there is the Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos.
ARVI (Village) VIANNO
Arvi is a small fishing village on the coast that is surrounded by
hot houses. In the area there are Byzantine churches, a war monument, and a pleasant
beach.
ASTEROUSSIOI (Municipality) HERAKLIO
ATSIPADES (Village) KOFINA
At a height of 460 m above sea-level, this village lies 5 km to the north-west of Asimi, the county town of the municipality of Kofina. Built on a hill, it offers the visitor a panoramic view of the Messara plain.
A first reference to Atsipades is found in a document of 1248, and from then on it is mentioned in every census, including the Turkish and the Egyptian ones.The church of Aghia Ekaterini inside the village has its feast day on November 25th. Another church worth visiting is that of Aghia Paraskevi, close to a water spring and among lovely trees. Some wall paintings still remain in the chapel, though in a poor state. The feast day is on July 27th. Finally, the chapel of Afenti Christos, hidden among the olive groves, has its feast day on August 6th.
This text is cited Dec 2003 from the Interkriti URL below.
AVDOU (Village) CHERSONISSOS
The village of Avdou is 39km southeast of Iraklion on the road from
Hersonisos to Lassithi Plateau. There are six Byzantine churches in this village.
Archaic objects have been found in the cave of Agia Fotini and Faneromeni southeast
above the village at 1,100 metres above sea level.
CHARAKAS (Village) ASTEROUSSIOI
Harakas is 50km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Knossos - Kounavi
- Houdetsi - Ligortinos - Harakas road. In the area near Harakas there are some
Roman and Venetian remains as well as a Byzantine church.
DIA (Island) HERAKLIO
Small island off Iraklion, Crete, just beyond the harbor of ancient Knossos. When Theseus abandoned Ariadne after she saved him from the Labyrinth, some say that he left her on the island of Naxos. But others claim he was so anxious to be rid of her that he left her on Dia, within sight of her father's domain.
DIONYSSIO (Village) KOFINA
On the north flanks of the Asteroussia mountains, at a height of 250 m above sea-level, 7 km away from Asimi,lies the village of Dionysi. It owes its name to the church of Aghios Dionysios, whose feast day (October 3rd) is much celebrated by the local population. Visitors come from neighbouring villages and are invited by the villagers into their houses where they are offered wine and traditional food. The same tradition is repeated on the feast day of the Evangelistria, March 25th. Other churches and chapels are those of Saints Constantine and Helen, that of the Transformation of Our Saviour, the chapel of Aghios Georgios and that of Zoodochos Pigi, in the midst of lush vegetation and celebrating its feast day on the first Friday after Easter Sunday. The village main income is based on olive oil, raisins and garden produce.
This text is cited Dec 2003 from the Interkriti URL below.
DRAPETI (Village) ARKALOCHORI
The village of Drapeti is 40km southeast of Iraklion and it has a
Byzantine church.
EBAROS (Village) HERAKLIO
The village of Embaros is 51km southeast of Iraklion, on the road
to Ano Viannos. Embaros was the largest village of Pediada during the Venetian
occupation, a fact which can be supported by the many Byzantine churches in the
area.
EPANO ARCHANES (Small town) HERAKLIO
Epano Arhanes is 16km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Knossos
- Arhanes road. The area is a major Minoan site, and in addition contains several
Byzantine churches. The town is in the middle of the vineyard district and exports
wine, raisins and grapes --a grape and wine festival is held in July. Arhanes
is also the location of three on-going archaeological excavations on Minoan sites.
You may only view these through fences since they are closed to the public.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
Epano Arhanes is 16km south of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Knossos - Arhanes road. The area is a major Minoan site, and in addition contains several Byzantine churches. The town is in the middle of the vineyard district and exports wine, raisins and grapes --a grape and wine festival is held in July. Arhanes is also the location of three on-going archaeological excavations on Minoan sites. You may only view these through fences since they are closed to the public.
EPISKOPI (Small town) HERAKLIO
The village of Episkopi, Pediada is 18km southeast of Iraklion off
an exit at 8 km on the south fork of the Iraklion - Agios Nikolaos highway. Many
interesting Byzantine churches are located in the area of Episkopi. Within the
village are the Byzantine churches of Michael Archangelos, Agia Paraskevi, and
Agios Ioannis which contains frescoes. In particular, Agios Ioannis has very striking
frescoes, especially the one of Christ ascending into heaven. Giuseppe Gerola
considered it to be among the best in Crete.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
FANEROMENI (Village) TYMBAKI
Old village of the municipality of Timbaki with 837 inhabitants. It is built on the right bank of the river "Katsoulidis" in a wonderful green landscape with large groves of citrus trees.
The near by church of "Panagia faneromeni" gave the name to the village.
Various findings from tha ancient times such as a double axe. were discovered in the area.
The churches of "Agios Antonios" and "Panagia" were violated by the Turks in 1866.
FESTOS (Minoan settlement) HERAKLIO
FORTETSA (Settlement) HERAKLIO
Fortetsa is a small village 5km south of Iraklion on a west turn in
the road 4.2km from Iraklion. In the area of the village there is a remainder
of the 15km long Venetian aqueduct that brought water to Iraklion.
FOURNOFARANGO (Settlement) KOFINA
This village is situated 11 km to the west of Asimi. It figures in all the Venetian censi of the province of Monofatsio, as well as in the Turkish and Egyptian censi. Chourmoutzis Vyzantios CHECK in 1842 mentions the existence to the east of Fournofarango of a large church dedicated to Aghios Georgios Koulouritis, in the middle of a ruined and abandoned town bearing the same name.
Nowadays,the feast of Aghios Georgios at Koulourida, 1 km away, is celebrated with great pomp on April 23rd, in the midst of the lush vegetation of the Asteroussia mountains. The location offers a splendid view over the whole region. A water spring in the middle of the chapel is believed to have healing powers, and indeed it has a wonderful light taste. Many people come from afar to carry it back to their homes.The Cultural Association of the village has been very active and successful in reviving old traditions.
This text is cited Dec 2003 from the Interkriti URL below.
GERGERI (Small town) ROUVA
The village of Gergeri is 40km southwest of Iraklion on the Iraklion
- Agia Varvara - Gergeri road. There are three interesting Byzantine churches
in the area. This is the first village, 10km after Agia Varvara to the west. There
are natural springs, and from one of the large springs water was channelled to
Gortyn through an aqueduct which is still visible near the Acropolis of Gortyn.
There is also a lush forest near the village and Byzantine churches.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
GORTYS (Ancient city) HERAKLIO
Gortyn is located 45km southwest of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Agia
Varvara - Agii Deka - Gortyn road.
Gortyn is one of the most important archaeological sites on Crete. Although continuously
inhabited from Neolithic times, it did not develop into a strong power until the
Greek era. The city was flourishing by the fifth century B.C. Gortyn defeated
and destroyed Festos in 220 B.C. and from then it used the two harbours at Matala
and Lehena (Lendas). It was at war continuously with either Knossos or Lyttos.
When the Romans invaded the island in 65 B.C., Gortyn did not resist. It became
the capital of Roman Crete and flourished during the Roman era. Gortyn also flourished
during the early Byzantine years but it was destroyed by the Arabs.
The fame of Gortyn lives on, due, in part, to the famous Gortyn Law Code found
here. The twelve stone tablets are inscribed in the Doric Cretan dialect. This
script reads from right to left on one line and left to right on the subsequent
line. These tablets contain the foundation of an entire legal system including
rules of civil procedure and provide great insight into the social system of the
time. Many of the provisions of modern criminal law are still based on these ancient
texts.
The archaeological site of Gortyn is extensive, straddling the road to the north
and south. One of the most important buildings is the basilica of Agios Titos.
It dates from around the seventh century and has three aisles. One aisle contains
a shrine to Agios Titos which locals adorn with offerings.
The fenced site of Gortyn is just north of the road and east of the river. It
includes the church of Agios Titos, the Agora area, the Odion and the very important
Law Code of Gortyn.
Almost opposite of the entrance of the fenced site a road starts south to Lendas,
making a T with the road from Agii Deka to Festos. On the lower east part of the
subdivided space are many more remains of the ancient city of Gortyn, most of
them unexcavated.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
The largest plain in Crete is the Mesara Plain, measuring 50km in
length and 7km in width. This plain is on the south side of the island, in the
prefecture of Iraklion. This southern location, in combination with the fertile
soil, allows crops to be grown here that cannot be grown in other places.
KALI LIMENES (Port) MIRES
The village of Kali Limenes is 77km southwest of Iraklion on the road
Iraklion - Agia Varvara - Festos - Moni Odigitrias - Kali Limenes. The road is
narrow and the drive slow. Although this may seem an effort, the end result is
worth it. Kali Limenes has a lovely beach with relatively unspoilt scenery and
clear water.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
KAMARES (Village) TYMBAKI
The village of Kamares is 57km southwest of Iraklion on the Iraklion
- Agia Varvara - Gergeri - Kamares road. Kamares took its name from the cave used
by the Minoans that is above the village. Kamares means arches in Greek.
A little after Grigoria, at 600m a.s.l., is located the historical village of Kamares with 491 inhabitants. This village was destroyed together with the villages Magarikari and Lohria, by the Germans during the world war II (1944) due to the help that the locals used to offer to the partisans.
Above the village, at 1524m a.s.l. lies the famous CAVE OF KAMARES (Spileon Kamaron). This was used as a place of worship during Minoan times and it was here that Minoan pottery made with exceptional skill was found - called "Kamares ware" by archaeologists.
From Kamares is also possible to climb up to the Idaion Andron.
This text is cited Dec 2003 from the Interkriti URL below, which contains images.
KAMARIOTIS (Village) TYLISSOS
Kamariotis is a medieval town on the borders of Rethimnon and Iraklion
on the Iraklion side, 24km from Iraklion city, near Anogia. The village contains
Byzantine churches, one with a most extraordinary portal.
KAMILARI (Village) TYMBAKI
Kamilari is 67km south east of Iraklion on a left (west) turn from
the Matala - Agios Ioannis - Festos road. Near the village of the same name is
the famous Kamilari Tomb, the best-preserved Minoan vaulted tomb in the area,
dating from 2000 B.C.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
KAPETANIANA (Settlement) KOFINA
The village of Kapetaniana is in the Asterousia Mountains south of
the Mesara plain, 71km from Iraklion on the Iraklion - Agia Varvara - Agii Deka
- Vagionia - Kapetaniana road, where the Byzantine church of the Panagia is located.
This village is situated at an altitude of 750 m above sea-level, 11 km away from Asimi. It is not mentioned in any of the Venetian censi, though its Byzantine church dates back to the 15th century. There is a Minoan peak sanctuary close to the summit of the Kofinas mountain, in a place known as Metzolati. Many finds help to identify this location as a former shrine: several animal and human clay figurines and bronze votive objects were found in nearby caves. Nowadays the church of the Holy Cross has replaced the ancient sanctuary, but the panoramic view remains the same. The church has its feast day on September 14th. On the other hand, the village celebrates the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 15th, when a typical Cretan feast takes place every year. There is a series of beautiful beaches, like that of Aghios Ioannis and others, along the coast down from Kapetaniana towards Koudouma, but they are very difficult to reach and only the very fit should undertake such a walk. The difficulty of access explains why this wonderful coast has retained its original beauty and wilderness.
This text is cited Dec 2003 from the Interkriti URL below.
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