History

The bay where today's Loutro settlement is built was the port of ancient towns Anopolis and Aradena. This port is mentioned in ancient texts as Phoenix or Katopolis. The gods Zeus and Apollo were worshiped in Phoenix.

Above the ruined village of Kolokasia in the province of Sfakia, on the southeast side of Asfendou gorge, stands the steep rock Kastri. As evidenced by traces of buildings and part of a fortification wall, Kastri probably was a town built during the Dark Period, just after the collapse of Minoan civilization in the 12th century BC.

The wider region of the village Alikambos, at Chania, we meet several caves because of the limestone bedrock. One of these caves is Fourni located in the village. Fourni unlike other caves of the region does not bear cave decoration as it is really poor. However it surely has the most important history of all, because it is located inside the village and, therefore, served as a shelter for the locals, especially during the bombardments of the Second World War. Fourni entrance is not easy to access, due to being blocked by rubbish and vegetation.

The hill Katrinia in the area of Piskokefalo, province Sitia, hosted one of the most important peak sanctuaries of Minoan Crete, where pilgrims from the surrounding areas came to praise their deities and devote their tributes. Three sacred caves have been identified in the same area, just like in other peak sanctuaries in Crete (e.g. Giouchtas, Pirgos near Tylissos, etc.).

Crete is a place with endless diverse beauties that it has always new places to show, even to those who think that know Crete well. Some of these treasures are hidden below the surface. One of these places is a German shelter several meters below the surface of the earth that has never until now been recorded in photos. This shelter, so many years after the liberation of Crete in 1945, keeps it secrets well hidden. The area has loose grounds and the entrance to it is really dangerous. All its main gates have been blocked by colissions, making it impossible to enter. Entering the shelter can be made from another place using a rope.

Above the steep gorge of Adrianos in the province of Mirabello rises the rocky outcrop of Fortezza. This inhospitable, steep and naturally fortified rock was chosen by the deposed Minoans to form a small town during the so-called Dark Period.

The ancient city of Eltynia, Eltyna or Eltynea was dispersed in the present plain of Peza, but its main core was probably located in the current site of the village Kounavi. The main occupation of its inhabitants was viticulture and winemaking, which is still a key sector of the local economy.

The current city of Ierapetra is built on the site of the ancient city of Ierapytna. Its current name Ierapetra was preceded by other names such as Kyrva, Kamiros, Pytna, and Ierapytna.