⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

Major cities of Crete are home to impressive architectural structures, mainly from the Venetian and the Ottoman Era. Forts, scenic harbors, palaces, fountains and temples are the main attractions of the cities. On the other hand, the interesting attractions in the hinterland include arched bridges, water and wind mills, aqueducts, cisterns and chapels.

Venetian and Ottoman architectural patterns, combined with features of folklore architecture, are evident in contemporary houses. Arched gates since the Venetian era, and sahnisi (protruding covered balcony) since the Ottoman era, are some of the features used even today.

The traditional rural house is an evolution of the prehistoric home dwelling; it is constructed with stone, branches and soil, while wooden beams support the roof. To the interior, there is space for animals, while the main features include a stone-built wine press covered by with a wooden platform, a fireplace for cooking and heating, and some niches in the walls for storing household utensils.

Some of the most interesting traditional buildings, perfectly adapted to the needs and particularities of the mountainous areas of Crete, are mitata. They are round domed buildings, made solely of dry stone, being an evolution of the domed Minoan tombs. Mitata provided shelter to shepherds and were used for milking goats and cheese-making. They are met in all ranges of Crete, but Nida plateau near Anogia is the most famous place to come across such constructions.

Achlada village

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.25 (4 Votes)

Achlada is one of the nearest villages to Heraklion. Its name is taken after the wild pear tree called ahlada or agoutsakas that abounds here. Ahlada is built on top of a fortified hill above the bay of Agia Pelagia, in an area with a wonderful climate. After many years of continuous habitation Ahlada has almost transformed to a ghost village, despite its proximity to Heraklion.

Keritis Bridge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.75 (4 Votes)

The Bridge on the River Keritis is made of stone with three arches and was built in 1908. Adjacent to it, on 1 August 1941 the Germans executed 118 men (with disabled among them) under the despicable charge of resistance against the German invasion in Crete.

Lahanas Bridge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 0.00 (0 Votes)

The stone single arched bridge of Lahanas was built in the 19th century to serve those who wanted to cross the river Richtis. According to witnesses, here took place a tragic story. During the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, the Christians killed the Turks who were trying to reach Sitia port so as to leave to Turkey.

Mohos windmills

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

North of Mohos, by Stalis, we still meet one interesting windmill park of Crete. There are still standing 5 windmills in a row. Mohos mills are of two types: the completely circular, turning to all winds, called Xetrocharis and the more usual that turns only in a certain wind called Axetrocharis (this has rectangular shape).

Museum of Water and Hydraulics in Zakros

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.50 (2 Votes)

Next to the lush green Springs of Ano Zakros one can visit the Museum of Water and Hydraulic housed in three restored watermills since 2007.

Gavaliana Wells

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (1 Vote)

A place of foremost interest by Gavalochori is the complex of 24 Venetian Wells. It is located about 1 km outside the village, just before the village cemetery. These wells played an important role in the society Gavalochori, both during the Venetian period and later.

Platanias bridge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The Venetian stone bridge of Platanias, named San Marco, crosses the river Platanias and is a single arched bridge with an arc length of 17.8m, width of 8m and height 3.65m. The bridge is the longest single-arch bridge in Crete.

Prinaris Mill

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.50 (4 Votes)

In the central square of the village Chromonastiri is the old oil mill of Prinaris family, fully renovated, with all its old equipment that can work till today.

Architecture

Also read: