Lendas

Lendas is a picturesque seaside village located 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern slopes of the Asterousia Mountains. It belongs to the community of Miamou and has developed into a quiet tourist destination, well suited to relaxing holidays beside the South Cretan Sea.

Lendas is reached through the mountainous road network of the Asterousia range. The route crosses a rugged landscape and offers panoramic views of the sea and the southern coast of Crete.

The surrounding area has several quiet beaches and small coves. West of the village lies Dyskos beach, while the beach of Lendas, directly in front of the settlement, is the busiest and best-organised beach in the area. The present harbour is located farther east, at Loutra.

The modern village is built on the site of the ancient city of Levena, which flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods as the harbour of Gortyn. Levena became particularly renowned for its sanctuary of Asclepius, established near a healing spring and developed into an important therapeutic centre of the ancient world.

Near the archaeological site stands the Byzantine church of Saint John the Theologian, built partly with materials taken from earlier buildings of the ancient city.

The landscape around Lendas is distinguished by unusual rock formations. The cape west of the village resembles the head of a lion, a rock near Cape Psamidomouri looks like an elephant, and farther east Cape Trafoulas resembles a crocodile. According to a local legend, the three petrified animals remained behind to guard the area forever.

Ancient Levena

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Lendas is built on the site of the ancient city Levina, 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern slopes of the imposing Asterousia Mountains. The name of Levina is believed to come from the Phoenician “Lavi” which means Lion. Indeed, on the west of the village there is a cape reminding of a lion's head from far.

Petrakis beach

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The very quiet beach of East Tsigounas, mostly known as Petrakis, is located 1km east of Lendas and 76km south of Heraklion. it is located on the foots of the steep and inhospitable slopes of Asterousia Mountains.

Gerokambos Roman Villa

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At this site, in 1981, a large building of the Roman period was found that probably operated as a mansion.

Gerokambos Domed Tomb

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At Gerokambos (Sacred Place) west of Lendas in 1959 three vaulted tombs were found, with the largest (diameter 5.10m) looted and empty. In front of the entrance, a hall was full of people and animal bones, charcoal and cups. In a second tomb figurines, daggers, vases, seals and beads were found.

Panagia Vithanos church at Krotos

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The cave church of Panagia at Vithanos is located in a panoramic position of the Loutra Gorge, near the village of Krotos. It is dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi (Life Giving Spring) and one can still see the date 20-5-1765 above the entrance.

Early Christian basilica of Lendas

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Lendas is a remote seaside settlement located in the imposing Asterousia Mountains, 74km south of Heraklion. The settlement is built on the site of the ancient city of Levena, which flourished in the Greco-Roman years, as the seaport of Gortyn, which was then the most important city of Crete.

Vyzaroplaka beach

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The waters of the entire area, and not only of Vyzaroplaka, are among the cleanest and clearest in Crete. The beach is protected from the summer meltemi and the westerly winds and almost never has waves.

Elephant beach in Lendas

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The small beach of the Elephant (Elefantas) is located between Cape Psamidomouri and the beach Petrakis in Lendas and directly below the Levinthos hotel, through which there is access.

Lendas

Lendas

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