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Eirinis str, Kalamaki, Chania, 73100
Telephone: +30 28210 32153
E-mail: suites@doreen.gr

Sites of archaeological interest

For the lovers of ancient Greek and Cretan civilization, but also for the uninformed who seek to satiate their thirst for knowledge of the past, the prefecture of Chania offers a unique trip back in time. Beyond the ancient Minoan remains and the scattered historical discoveries of ancient Kydonia that are located beneath the modern city of Chania, there are also more cities of classical Greek antiquity and of the Roman world that crop up in every corner of the prefecture. East of the city of Chania, near the village of Megala Chorafia is where ancient Aptera is perched.

It was founded in a prominent position where it towers above the gulf of Souda and the plain of Armeni, having at its south the huge bulk of the White Mountains as an impressive setting. The city flourished during the Hellenistic period (330-68BC) and came into the hands of the Roman conquerors during which it found itself thriving once again. Today the visitor can see only a part of the Hellenistic walls of the acropolis hemming in the hill and many ruins which date back to the Roman rule with the highlight being the arched reservoirs and the hot springs. Antiquity gave its place up to the Byzantine Empire, while Aptera went early on into the Holy Monastery of Patmos.

The Byzantine Empire was followed by the Turkish rule which became all the more crushingly felt as a result of the imposing presence of the Koule in the northern edge of the hill which is positioned above the fort of Itzedin. Itzedin, the guardian of the port of Souda, is a structure that co - operates with the Venetian fort of Souda island, strategically located right across, to defend the gulf.

West of Chania and south of Kisamos is where the ancient Polyrhenia, another ancient city of Crete, founded at an impressive location, dominates above the plain and the gulf of Kisamos. Today, ruins from Greek and Roman structures are preserved there, while its most outstanding element is the imposing fortification of its acropolis, a work from the Byzantine period. On the westernmost edge, adjacent to one of the most beautiful beaches of the prefecture, is where the remains of ancient Phalasarna are situated. Secure behind powerful Hellenistic walls, the city had a fortified harbour which made it one of the strongest naval and piratical cities of Crete. It was completely destroyed by Metellus in 68BC and it was never occupied again. The visitor will be taken aback by the four defensive towers of the port, the foundations of which, due to the tectonic elevation of the western coast of Crete during the late antiquity, are now about 6.5 metres higher than the sea level and one hundred metres away from the shore.

Ancient Lissos, which may be likened to a lost city, can be reached either by boat or by hiking for about an hour from Sougia. The latter option entails traversing a scenic gorge, climbing a mountainside and finally descending towards the sea. Lissos played an important role as a religious center and it organized the neighbouring cities of Hyrtakina, Elyros and Tarra into the Confederacy of Orio.

Today, one can see the ruins of Asclepios for which it was famous, with its magnificent mosaic floors, and many excavated Roman tombs. Archaeological remains can be seen in many other places of the prefecture like ancient Minoa in Marathi of Akrotiri, the temple of Diktynna in Menies, the Hellenistic remains in Rokka, the Roman residences with the mosaic floors in Kissamos, the agrarian sanctuary of Poseidon in Tsiskiana, ancient Elyros in Rodovani and ancient Tarra at the exit of Samaria Gorge.


Eirinis str, Kalamaki, Chania 73100
Telephone: +30 28210 32153
E-mail: suites@doreen.gr
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