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See the detailed hotel description on the web-site
CRETE – THE CRADLE OF C I V I L I ZAT I ON
GEOGRAPHY
Being one of the largest islands of Greece, Crete at the same time is the
fifth largest one in the Mediterranean. It lies 110 km off the European
coastline, 175 km off Asia and 300 km off the African continent. The
total land area of the place is about 8 336 square kilometers with the
rugged and craggy coastline of 1 046 km. Three mountain ranges cover
two thirds of the surface area and are punctuated by plateaux and occa-
sional rivers. These are Lefka Ori (the White Mountains) with the highest
peak Pachnes (2 452 m), Dikti with the highest mountain Afentis Christos
(about 2 141 m) and Ida or Psiloritis with the highest point on the island
of Timios Stavros (2 456 m).
MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
According to many sources Crete is thought to be the birthplace of Zues,
father of gods and men. It is told that he first saw this world from one
of the caves of the Dikti Mountain. Taking the form of a white bull he
abducted Europa and brought her to Crete. Here she bore Zues three
sons, one of whom was Minos. It was Minos’s daughter Ariadne who
helped Theseus to come safe and sound out of the maze giving him a
ball of thread.
WHAT TO SEE
Sure there are more things to do on the island than just bask lazily in
sunshine. Crete’s rich past has marked this land with many historical and
architectural items. It is recommended to begin this travel into the past
from the Archeological museum of Iraklion. But perhaps the most visited
place on Crete is the Knossos archeological site with its palace. The site
is situated 5 km of Iraklion. The Palace remains the most fascinating
place on the island. In case you have time visit the remnants of the an-
cient city of Gortyna. Once a capital of the island during the Roman era,
today this place is totally abandoned. Although the survived fragments
still bear the signs of its great past. It is quite understandable that the
invaders who were on Crete at different times contributed to the local
culture thus shaping the “face” of this place. That is why one can meet
here Byzantine churches, Turkish mosques, Venetian fortresses and dif-
ferent ancient mansions.
It is hardly possible to meet someone who
would have never heard about Crete today. This
island with its long history and culture is the
home of Europe’s earliest civilization. But, for
sure, that is not the only thing that attracts
loads of visitors here. Dazzling sun, fascinating
sea, stories that once seemed only a fairytale
and here acquire features of a real story, incred-
ible hospitality of the hosts are the least that
one can find on this unique, picturesque and at
the same time mysterious Crete!
C R E T E - D E S C R I P T I O N
