Paximadia beaches

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Paximadia Islands are two small uninhabited islets off the Gulf of Messara, 12km (7.5 miles) south of Agia Galini. By far they seem like a single island because they are very close. You may also hear locals refer to these as "Elephant", since from afar they remind of a lying elephant. Their total length is about 3km.

Almost nobody knows that there are beaches on Paximadia, since they are thought to be two large dry rocks in the sea. However, there is a magnificent protected beach with crystal clear waters and fantastic pebbles on the south side of the easternmost island. Do not expect to see anything more than beautiful cliffs around and a rich seabed, since there is absolutely nothing reminding of civilization around. Paximadia can be accessed by excursion boats, running from Kokkinos Pirgos and Agia Galini.

Short History of Paximadia

Once dominated by Phaestos, a very strong, rich, populous and independent city, the little islands were called the Islets of Dionysoi, after Dionysos, the god of wine. It is said that the goddess Artemis, together with the nymph Vritomartis, often hunted in this area. Another name for these two rocks was Litoai or Letoae, after the goddess Lito, mother of Apollo and Artemis. Lito was worshipped in Phaestos. One legend says that Lito gave birth to Apollo and Artemis on these islets.

Nowadays, the two rocky lumps are called Paximadia, because they resemble the shape of this ancient food. Paximadia is a traditional dry bread (rusk), named after the Hellenistic cook Paximus. This bread is so dry, that it cannot be eaten, unless dipped in water. It is protected by EU as a product of Crete, where it was developed many years ago for the sheep herders, when they would go up into the mountains for longer periods of time.

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