History

The Palace of Galatas is located 30km south of Heraklion, near Arkalochori, at an elevated position with views to south Crete and close to the Minoan sacred cave of Arkalochori.

The islet Scoglio de Muflo of the Venetians, which is the island opposite of Mochlos, seems to have been a very important commercial center and port in antiquity till the Byzantine Era. The island, also called Psilos (i.e. Flea) (opposed to a larger island to the west called Psira, i.e. lice) is an archaeological site that still gets excavated.

Lendas is built on the site of the ancient city Levina, 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern slopes of the imposing Asterousia Mountains. The name of Levina is believed to come from the Phoenician “Lavi” which means Lion. Indeed, on the west of the village there is a cape reminding of a lion's head from far. 

South of Aptera we meet the domed tomb of Stylos that came to light in 1961 (looted) by the archaeologists N. Platon, and K. Davaras. This monumental tomb was of a local lord and has a circular stone chamber and long, road corridor (20,80 m long).

The unknown Minoan settlement of Pirgos is located shortly east of the coastal village of Myrtos, by Ierapetra, on a low hill overlooking the east bank of the River Krygios (Cold). It is located on a position overlooking the sea (south) and the forested mountains of Dikti (north) and was selected for settlement by the Minoans ,after leaving the nearby peak of Fournou Kefali. The settlement flourished from 2200 to 1450BC.

Near the village Margarites we meet is a Late Minoan tomb of 1350 BC, which is considered one of the most important sites of the area. An aisle with carved stones leads to a circular domed tomb. Inside it, the bones of four adults and two children were found. From the findings, it seems that they came from higher social and religious level.

The Minoan settlement of Vasiliki is located across the exit of the gorge of Ha and near the Minoan settlement of Gournia, at an elevated point that controlled the valley of Ierapetra.

Kofinas is the highest peak in the wild Asterousia Range with an altitude of 1231m and gets its name from its shape resembles an inverted basket (kofini in Greek). The top, with stunning views to the Libyan Sea, today hosts a temple of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros), celebrating on September 14.