History

Ancient Lyktos or Littos is located near the settlement of Xidas. The city was one of the strongest of ancient Crete, an eternal enemy of Knossos and owned the port of Hersonissos. It is reported by all the major ancient historians.

Petsofas peak is located near Palekastro and above the archaeological site of Roussolakos. In Minoan times here a peak sanctuary was founded where rituals included the deposition of clay figurines of cattle, men and women.

At Papadiokambos archaeologists have identified a Minoan house of fishermen and farmers covering 130 square meters, which has provided them with great information about the diet of the Minoans. It seems that the house was destroyed while the housewiveswere cooking waiting for their men,but they were lucky to escape alive (but hungry). But the family dog had a bad fortune, as he was found below the collapsed roofs.

Northeast of the village Monastiraki, at position Kokkinos Harakas, the palatial Minoan buildings were brought to light from excavations that started in 1980. The palace covers an estimated area of about 300 acres and its core has been revealed up to now.

At position Vothoni we meet the Roman fish tanks that were carved by the Romans in the soft sandstone, with a small opening to the sea to allow fresh water to flow in.There are worn steps in one corner.

The exit of Tripiiti Gorge hosted the ancient town Poikilasos or Poikilasion, but today you will see only a few scattered traces.

The fertile valley and the sheltered harbor of Makrigialos was an ideal location for its habitation throughout the ages. One of the relics of the past is the Roman villa which was unearthed at Katovigli position in 1977, above the current port of Makrigialos, by the archaeologist N. Papadakis. Earlier, looted graves and a headstone of the 4th century AD were found on site.

Praesus (or Pressos) was built on three hills located about 13km south of Sitia and 2km from Nea Pressos. The city was founded by the Eteocretans (= genuine Cretans) who abandoned the Minoan towns and found refuge in the inaccessible areas of Crete after the Dorian invasion (1100BC). It owned two ports, one in Sitia region (Etea) and one on the south coast (Stiles).