Ancient Niros
The Minoan mansion of Niros is located at position Almirides, 15km east of Heraklion, at the region of Vathianos Kambos, province Pediada. It was an almost square two-storey villa covering an area of 1000sq.m. and with 40 rooms, built by the sea.
The mansion was firstly excavated in 1918 by Stephanos Xanthoudidis, when four major cult bronze axes were brought to light. These findings, combined with the large number of religious objects in manufacturing stage, indicates that the mansion operated as a workshop for a Minoan priest, who produced religious objects.
700m west of the mansion, at position Agii Theodori, archaeologists have detected traces of a small Minoan settlement and a Minoan harbor.
The small palace in Nirou Hani flourished in the 16th century BC and was destroyed in the 15th century BC. It had two entrances, paved courtyard, warehouses, workshops, sanctuary, staircases and rooms.
