⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

The Cretan land is full of ancient graves, highlighting the great care of the Cretans for the dead. In the Bronze Age (6000 BC-3500 BC) the simple deposition of dead inside caves was abandoned and use of cemeteries was widespread.

During the Minoan era, in some areas of eastern Crete, including Gournia, Mochlos and Palekastro, the tombs were rectangular and could be used again for the burial of many bodies. At Chrysolakos by Malia, Palekastro, Arhanes and Platanos, archaeologists identified entire burial buildings, but the most prevalent types of tombs in Crete were vaulted (tholos) and domed. Large vaulted tombs have been identified at Kamilari, next to the monastery of Odigitria, Koumasa, Maleme, Ahladia, Stylos, Fylaki by Vamos, Margarites, Apodoulou and Gerokambos. Large cemeteries (necropoleis) of the era, with hundreds of tombs have been found at the hill of Fourni by Arhanes and at Armeni by Rethymnon.

During the Roman era, a large number of tombs were carved into the soft limestone that abounds in Crete. The most famous cemetery with carved caves of this season is Matala, where hippies lived in the 70s. Impressive carved tombs are also found at ancient Kydonia (Chania), at Trialonia, at Siderospilia by Prinias and at the lush ravine of Pente Parthenes (ancient Lappa). In particular, the area of Agios Thomas, with the tremendous carved tombs of Gra Mandra, was an important center for the worship of chthonic deities.

The largest cemetery of the Bronze Age (4500 BC-3500 BC) in Greece has been excavated at Agia Fotia by Sitia and is home to 302 graves.

Agios Thomas Roman Tombs

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Agios Thomas (Saint Thomas) is one of the most impressive mountain villages of Crete. This is mainly due to the rocks of the region that are easy to carve. Excellent monuments of carved architecture travel us to ancient times with carved Minoan presses, Roman tombs and cavernous temples.

Kamilari Domed Tomb

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At position Grigori Peak by Kamilari we meet the ruins of alarge domed tomb (34m long perimeter) with panoramic sea views. The tomb was discovered in 1959 by the Italian archaeologist Doro Levi, and dates back from 2000 BC.

Odigitria Prepalatial Cemetery

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The historic Monastery of Odigitrias on the way to Agiofaraggo hides many treasures. Beyond the monastery itself with such great history and the tower of Xopateras, it conceals another surprise north of the monastery. This is the prepalatial necropolis of Odigitria, named after the monastery, as we still don’t know the name of the town it belonged to.

Agia Fotia Necropolis

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The ruins of the largest Minoan cemetery in Crete have been discovered in this area with 252 graves from the early Minoan period, 1800 vases and many artefacts buried with the dead.

Koumasa Prepalatial Cemetery

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The prepalatial cemetery Koumasa is located between Loukia and Koumasa. This Minoan archaeological site was first excavated by Stephanos Xanthoudides from 1904-1906 and four graves came to light (three vaulted graves and one rectangular).

Platyskinos Domed tomb

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At position Platyskinos near Achladia, Sitia, a large underground vaulted tomb of diameter 4.08m, height 4.16m and corridor 9m, has been revealed. The tomb, extremely rare especially in Eastern Crete, dates back from 1400-1220 BC and is thought to have been inspired by the tombs of Mycenae.

Fylaki Domed Tomb

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Just next to the small village of Fylaki at Apokoronas province, Chania, you will find the vaulted tomb of Fylaki. It was built in the post Minoan Times. It is very well preserved and clean. There is a long aisle at its entrance and its pyramid-like roof is very impressive.

Kefala site by Trialonia

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Above the scenic village of Trialonia, Kissamos district, and a little on the east, we meet the hill of Kefala. Kefala has views to all surrounding areas and hides a truly unknown treasure, a huge archaeological site which has not been protected by the Greek State and is still being destroyed.

Ancient Tombs

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