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Main Sights in Crete, Greece
Crete is rich in history and Greek Mythology and there is no shortage of places of interest to visit. There are numerous ancient and historical sites to explore, fascinating architecture to admire and plenty of things to see and do.
Major attractions in Crete
Agia Triada in Crete
One of the most stunning tourist attractions in Crete is the Agia Triada monastery. Built in the 17th century by Venetian monks, the monastery was built on top of a Byzantine church and was later to become an important centre for teaching theology. The stunning entrance influenced from Ionic and Corinthian design is at the head of an attractive boulevard of Cypress trees. During the Turkish revolution in 1821 the monastery burnt to the ground, but later renovated to its present form. In the monastery is a library and a small museum, though most visitors got to sample the olive oil and home made wine.
The Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Crete
The Etz Hayyim in Crete is a Romanian Synagogue and was originally built as a place of communal prayer, recollection and study, but is now one the largest tourist attraction on the island. It became a resource centre for Jews to trace their family trees and associate names and is the only library in Crete that has research facilities for Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The Etz Hayyim synagogue has played host the Jewish exhibitions and was crowned as the 'Rothschild Gate' because of its association with two Rothschild members.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Crete
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Crete is considered to be one of the most important museums in Europe given its grand Minoan exhibitions and jewels found in Minoan tombs together with an exhibition showing the evolution of pottery from the Neolithic age to the Post-Palace period. The museum was opened in 1940 and houses 13 rooms that are all open to the public. The Museum is also home to clay discs found in Festos that have hieroglyphs etched into them which have never been undeciphered.
Knossos Palace
The ancient town of Knossos dates back to the Minoans and was used as their centre for culture and politics, but remained an important centre during the Classical and Roman periods. The Palace is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and belonged to King Minos. The Royal Villa, the villa of Dionysus, Greek god of wine and merriment, is also a pleasure to explore complete with the Roman mosaics.
Samaria Gorge in Crete
The Samaria Gorge is one of Crete's most important sites due to it being a major tourist attraction that accrues some of the biggest revenues for the government. The gorge forms part of the fascinating Samaria National Park and stands at a height of 1200 metres and stretches for 10 miles. The gorge is an ideal location for a hiking expedition though conditions can be dangerous during the winter months and trekking is not recommended.
Venetian Wall in Crete
The Venetian wall in Crete was built during the 13th Century to protect the city folk against attacks from the Genoese. The area around the wall is full of narrow alleys and little Venetian and Turkish buildings. Inside the confines of the wall are the Santa Lucia Bastion and the San Salvatore Bastion which were important centres for the Venetians and have the emblem of Venice printed on them.
Agios Nikolaos in Crete
The Agios Nikolaos is located in the Limena peninsula in Crete. The church is one of the oldest on the island and is an important archaeological site. It was built in the 8th century Byzantine period and house frescoes from three different centuries. Though it is not the biggest church in Crete its history and architecture is regarded as the finest.
Byzantine Walls in Crete
The original walls were built around the ancient city of Kydonia which is the site of modern day Chania. They were originally constructed in the first Byzantine period but destroyed during the invasion of the Saracens in 828 AD. During the second Byzantine period in 1204AD the walls were rebuilt. They took a new form in 1645 after the Turks invaded, but have crumpled over time, partly through age, and partly through locals using them to build new structures.
Gavdos
The island of Gavdos lies off the southern fringes of Greece, but is governed by the heads if state in Crete. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Crete and is home to ancient relics and artefacts from the medieval ages and the New Stone age. Excavations also confirmed that the island was once inhabited by the Romans. Gavdos was regarded as an important religious centre during the Byzantine period and is also said to have become a refuge for St. Paul when his ship was swept ashore during a tempest on his way to Rome.
The Panagia Kera Church in Crete
The Panagian Kera Church in Crete is considered to be one of the wonders of medieval architecture. The church comprises artwork depicting moving scenes of Christian legends and ancient paintings of the Virgin Mary. There are also artistic impressions of Anna, the lesser known grandmother of Jesus. The church is set in serene surroundings amongst groves of trees and captivates the hearts and minds of its visitors.
The Santa Maria de Miracoli Monastery
One of the most enchanting tourist attractions in Crete is the Santa Maria de Miracoli Monastery. Built in the 15th century for Roman Catholic abbesses, its aura reflects its heritage and grandeur. Much of the monastery was destroyed during the Second World War, though architectural evidence is displayed giving an artist impression of how it looked in its full glory.
