Concluding our tour in the past of Messara’s plain, we headed east to the archaeological site of Gortyn, located 15 km from of the Palace of Phaestos and 18km from the Royal Villa of Agia Triada. Surprise! Unlike to what happened at these sites, where all their treasures were transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most impressive find of the excavation of Gortyn is still here. Maybe it was too heavy for transportation…
Category Archives: Greece
Crete: Festos and Agia Triada
After a deep immersion in hippies culture in Matala and in the beauty of the surrounding area, it seems fair to dedicate few hours for some more serious stuff. Archeology of course! Two of the most important Minoan sites of southern Crete are located just few kilometres north of Matala: the Palace of Phaistos (also spelled Phaistos, Phaestos, Phaistos or Phaestus) and the Royal Villa of Agia Triada (also written Hagia Triada or Ayia Triada).
Crete: Wild Matala
Matala, the ex isolated “hippie-paradise”, became one of the top tourist destinations of southern Crete filled with crowds of tourists from all over the world. They are everywhere; they climb to the remote caves, they play with the big waves ignoring the red flag warning, they flood the narrow streets of the village, they seek to breathe, for one day or two, the air of freedom. Is there any space left for those who want the whole package without the crowds factor? Yes there is!