Astraki Bridge One of the most impressive deserted village of the entire prefecture of Heraklion is Kato Astraki at province Pediada. The reason that makes it so important is the wealth of monuments it has. Within the dilapidated houses of the former village we meet many important Byzantine churches, Minoan graves and other archaeological findings, the stone bridge of the village and several watermills.
The bridge of the village Kato Astraki is called Astrakiani Kamara (Arch of Astraki) and is located a few meters away from the village, on the banks of the River Karteros. Astrakiani Kamara is a magnificent and well preserved arched stone bridge built in the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful of Crete. The bridge was built to connect Astraki with Sgourokefali and the villages of the eastern side of the river Karteros.
Only a few meters south of the bridge we find the stunning watermill of Paterikos, preserved in very good condition. Adjacent to Kamara and near the mill there is a large rock which hosted an ancient sanctuary. However, a few years ago the altar was stolen and today there is nothing there anymore.
Nearby places of interest
Straight-line distances
0.1 km
Paterikos Watermill
0.4 km
Panagia Church at Kato Astraki
0.4 km
Saint George Vourvoulitis church at Kato Astraki
0.4 km
Archangel Michael church at Kato Astraki
0.5 km
Neraidospilios Cave at Astraki
1.4 km
Nikos Kazantzakis Museum
1.6 km
Panagia monastery, Sgourokefali
1.7 km
Agarathiani Kamara
1.9 km
Christ School at Episkopi
2.4 km
Agarathos Monastery
2.4 km
Panagia Faneromeni church at Episkopi
2.4 km
Church of Saint Paraskevi at Episkopi
2.5 km
Church of Saint John at Episkopi (Pediada)
2.5 km
Church of Archangel Michael at Episkopi
2.5 km
Argirakis War Museum at Episkopi
2.6 km
Saint Anthony church at Episkopi
2.7 km
Saint Paraskevi church at Aitania
3 km
Saint George church at Toupaki
