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Knossos Palace 

Knossos images

aFrom an archaeological point of view, the terms, "Knossos," and "palace," are somewhat ambiguous. The palace was never just the residence of a monarch, although it contained rooms that might have been suitable for a royal family. Most of the structures, however, were designed to serve a civic, religious and economic center. The term palace complex is more accurate. In ancient times, Knossos was a town surrounding and including Kephala Hill. This hill was never an acropolis in the Greek sense. It had no steep heights, remained unfortified, and was not very high off the surrounding ground. These circumstances cannot necessarily be imputed to other Minoan palaces. Phaestos, contemporaneous with Knossos, was placed on a steep ridge, controlling access to the Mesara Plain from the sea, and was walled.To what degree Minoan civilization might be considered warlike remains debatable. It can, however, be said that Knossos bore no resemblance to a Mycenaean citadel, whether before or during Mycenaean Greek occupation. The complex was constructed ultimately around a raised Central Court on the top of Kephala Hill. The previous structures were razed and the top was made level to make way for the court. The court is oblong, with the long axis, which points north-northeast, generally described as pointing "north." Plot plans typically show the court with the long axis horizontal, apparently east-west with the north on the right, or vertical with the north on the top. Either arrangement is confusing unless the compass points are carefully marked. About 5 km (3.1 mi) to the north of the palace complex is the sea at the Port of Heraklion. Directly to the south is Vlychia Stream, an east-west tributary of the north-south Kairatos River. Kephala Hill is an isolated hill at the confluence.

 

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Diktaion Antro

The Diktaion Cave is located on Northern
side of the mountain Dicti in Crete, above the  village of Psychro in the municipality of Lassithi  Plateau  Crete, at an altitude of 1020m.   It is  considered  one of the most important  internationally known  caves with  great  mythological  and archaeologicalinterest.There Rhea, hidden
 from the fury of  Saturn begat Zeus.
The cave has garnered the interest of many Greek and foreign archaeologists who have occasionally excavate inside. Findings Neolithic, Minoan, Late Minoan, Geometric, Archaic,Classical,Hellenistic and Roman demonstrate continuous use by humans,mainly for religious purposes.
The cave has an area of ​​2,200 sqm and can be visited. The total length of the tourist route is 250 m Inside there is a rich decoration of stalactites, stalagmites and a scenic lake.Go for vacation in Crete.Visit Diktaion Antro

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N.Kazantzakis

Zorba the Greek is a 1964 film based on the novel Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. The film was directed by Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis and the title character was played by Anthony Quinn. The supporting cast includes Alan Bates, Lila Kedrova, Irene Papas, and Sotiris Moustakas.When Kazantzakis was born in 1883 in Heraklion, Crete had not yet joined the modern Greek state, (which had been established in 1832) and was still under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. From 1902 Kazantzakis studied law at the University of Athens, then went to Paris in 1907 to study philosophy. Here he fell under the influence of Henri Bergson. His 1909 dissertation was titled "Friedrich Nietzsche on the Philosophy of Right and the State." Upon his return to Greece, he began translating works of philosophy. In 1914 he met Angelos Sikelianos. Together they travelled for two years in places where Greek Orthodox Christian culture flourished, largely influenced by the enthusiastic nationalism of Sikelianos.Kazantzakis married Galatea Alexiou in 1911; they divorced in 1926. He married Eleni Samiou in 1945. Between 1922 and his death in 1957, he sojourned in Paris and Berlin (from 1922 to 1924), Italy, Russia (in 1925), Spain (in 1932), and then later in Cyprus, Aegina, Egypt, Mount Sinai, Czechoslovakia, Nice (he later bought a villa in nearby Antibes, in the Old Town section near the famed seawall), China, and Japan. While in Berlin, where the political situation was explosive, Kazantzakis discovered communism and became an admirer of Vladimir Lenin. He never became a consistent communist, but visited the Soviet Union and stayed with the Left Opposition politician and writer Victor Serge. He witnessed the rise of Joseph Stalin, and became disillusioned with Soviet-style communism. Around this time, his earlier nationalist beliefs were gradually replaced by a more universal ideology. 
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Olive oil

hThe Mediterranean diet is a modern nutritional   recommendation inspired  by   the traditional dietary patterns   of southern Italy, Crete and much of  the  rest of   Greece in the   1960s. On November 17, 2010, UNESCO  recognized this  diet   pattern as an Intangible Cultural   Heritage of Italy, Greece, Spain and  Morocco, thus reinforcing  it  not only  as  a  fundamental part of their history and   background, but also   as a great  contribution to the world.A number of diets have received attention, but the strongest evidence for a beneficial health effect and decreased mortality after switching to a largely plant based diet comes from studies of Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is often cited as beneficial for being low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber. One of the main explanations is thought to be the health effects of olive oil included in the Mediterranean diet.So Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets, consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, fish, and a moderate amount of dairy foods and wine.

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Almiros Beach

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Almiros is located 2.5km south of AgiosNikolaos and is the most popular beach of the town.It is formed at the exit of Almyros river, which flows south of the beach. Next to the beach there is a protected wetland formed in river delta, which is home to many rare birds. Also, the area is filled with eucalyptus trees, reeds and palm trees of Theophrastus (as Vai).The beach is quite long and very well organized. Is sandy and the water very shallow and usually calm, making them ideal for small children. The area has few canteens, and there are also options for water sport. The sea water is very cold in some places because of the salty river flows throughout the year. On the south side of the beach there are small hotels and apartments.To reach the beach from Agios Nikolaos, especially if you don't have a car, you should walk the pedestrian (5 ') passing alongside the rocky northern shores of the beach. The promenade starts from Gargadoros, who is 5 'south of Marina City.In Salty River washed their clothes the women of Ag.Nikolaos decades ago.


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Matala

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Matala is a small seaside village and popular beach of southern Crete in Heraklion. The location is on the west coast of Pirgiotisa. The beach of Matala was inhabited since ancient times, and then the settlers carved a number of caves in the soft rock of the mountain. The caves remained empty for thousands of years until some wandering hippies discovered and inhabited them for some time. Several others followed them such as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and First Stivens.The period of Hunta after the order of the Metropolitan of Gortyni tourists were expelled from the caves of Matala. The village was formerly a fishing village and now lives mainly from tourism.It falls in the municipal district of the municipality Pitsidia Timpaki. The distance from Heraklion is 70.6 km.Go for holidays to Crete/Matala. Matala map


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Mantinades

  The couplet of mantinada or patinada or Kotsakia poem is composed of two   verses which are usually fifteen to rhyme or four imistichia not necessarily   rhyme. It is a mean of spontaneous popular expression in several parts of   Greece, but mainly as a category of insular Greek song in Crete, which is   famous   for serenades of.
  This type of emetris popular expression in the Cyclades and especially in   Apeiranthos Naxos called "Kotsakia" (eg "With kotsakia reveal, / my love   pain!")   Accordingly names of this kind are also Short Songs, rhymes , that despite the   "lyrics" or "couplets" other regions of Greece.
In particular, the Cretan couplets distinguished by its peculiar expression, pithy phrase and reflects the feelings, thought and life of the Cretan people. They are themed from various sectors depending mocking serenades, love, opportunistic and philosophical. Either as a philosophy or expressing grievance, the serenade for centuries came the Cretans in all their moments and events, to the point that those who are not from Crete to think strictly Cretan poetic creation.
Put your mantinada


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Dikti mountaina

Dikti or Dicte (Greek: Δίκτη) (also Lasithiotika Ori, Greek: Λασιθιώτικα Όρη) is a mountain range on the east of the island of Crete in the regional unit of Lasithi. On the west it extends to the regional unit of Heraklion. According to the Greek Mythology, Zeus was reared on this mountain in a cave called Dictaeon Andron (Psychro Cave). On the north of the main massif, the plateau of Lasithi is located. Read more

Episkopi Ierapetra

dEpiskopi Ierapetras is a village on the Greek island of Crete. Episkopi belongs to the municipality of Ierapetra in the prefecture of Lasithi. It lies north of Ierapetra in the middle of the narrowest part of the island. The village has approximately one thousand inhabitants.
The village was established during the Minoan period, probably between 2500 and 2000 BCE. Is located..Read more

Potamos Malias

Right next to the archaeological site of Malia, a beautiful sandy beach makes the difference. The scenery includes tamarisk trees, crystal clear waters, a small river that spills into the sea (and makes the water a bit chiller!) and many sea urchins on the rocks – in case you are a fan of this mezze! It may be organized but still differs from the rest of the beaches in the area, as it is more peaceful, there is plenty Read more

Church Saint Virgins

Single room church of 12th century with unique frescoes from 14th century.Lies in Agios Nikolaos - Crete Read more




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Heraklion route - Lasithi route - Ierapetra route - Malia route - Hersonissos route    

Sitia route - Stalis route - Elounda route - Crete museums - Route from Heraklion to Sitia     

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