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Crete the wonders of the Minoans and Knossos Palace

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

When on holiday in Crete there is one place that most people just have to visit and this is the marvellous ruin of the Palace of Knossos.

Not only is this a superb place to spend some quality time, visitors learn about one of the oldest civilisations, the Minoans, who had made this lovely island their home.

There have been many wonderful artefacts found at the site of the Palace and these include the spectacular Bull’s Head which in the 16th century had been used in sacred rituals in the Little Palace of Knossos. Visitors to the island can see this marvellous Rhyton of the Bull’s Head at the museum of Iraklion where it is on permanent exhibition.

This beautiful vessel is a stone carving that was meticulously made with the muzzle encrusted with mother of pearl, the eyes made from rock crystal and the horns were gilded. During the 16th century the Minoans had perfected the art of stone carving and many wonderful works were created during this time. Luckily for us today we can see and marvel at some of the most beautiful ancient art work from Minoan times that have been discovered in Crete by visiting the museums on the island.

The Minoan snake godess

One of the Minoan divinities was in the form of a snake and is known as the ‘Snake Goddess’. Also known as the Household Goddess, the goddess is thought by some to have bought good fortune to Minoan houses although the goddess was also a symbol of the underworld giving her a Chthonic aspect as well. There has been much discussion about the meaning behind the Snake Goddess and what she meant to the ancient Minoans. Many people do not believe that she was a household deity or the Chthonic aspect that has been given to her by the early discoverers of these beautiful objects. What we do know is that she was worshipped by all Minoans.

The two very famous faiences of Snake Goddesses were found at Knossos and they date back to 1600 BCE. These statuettes are beautifully made and depict the women of the palace court dressed in lavish classical Minoans clothes. On one of the Snake Goddesses

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the snake is seen to sliding around her body whereas the other statuette shows her holding the snakes in both of her hands.

There is so much to learn about the Minoan civilisation and seeing these lovely objects from ancient times it gives us an insight into an incredible period of Cretan culture as it was so very long ago. It is an extraordinary experience to see both the Bull’s Head and the statuettes of the Snake Goddesses that meant so much to the cults and civilisations who made this beautiful island their home. These great and ancient cultures have left so much for us to see and wonder at.

We all feel privileged to know just a little bit more about the way of life in ancient Minoan Crete.

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Crete the Fortress of Koules in Heraklion

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

The word ‘Koules’ means fortress in Turkish and if you travel to the harbour of Heraklion you will find the amazing Koules Fortress and the ancient ramparts that surround the harbour.

The fortress dates back to times long past, it was built by the Venetians during the 13th century. It is an impressive structure that was built to protect this busy and vital port on the island. But not only was it constructed as a guardian of the port, the Venetians stored many foodstuffs and other important supplies that its’ army needed. It was also a prison and living quarters for officers of their armies.

Koule fortress was completely destroyed during an earthquake in 1303 but it was rebuilt again, but this time by the Genoese. Over the following centuries it was restored many times over to become how we see it today. It was turned into a prison during the time the Ottomans ruled the island and it was in the dungeons of this notorious prison that many Cretans met their deaths because they had stood against the Ottomans, they

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had revolted against these invaders and they paid a heavy price for their loyalty to their people and their beloved island.

As with so much ancient architecture in Crete, the styles and the impressive structures that were built during different periods. They are proof of the various powerful civilisations that inhabited the island. The fortress of Koules is a typical example of Venetian architecture on a very grand scale and the breakwater that protected the harbour can still be seen today.

There are three beautiful carvings of the Lion of St. Mark and visitors can see these, along with a minaret which was constructed by the , when they visit the fortress. Thousands of visitors flock here every year to admire the sheer size of the structure and to learn about the history that surrounds it.

Standing under the ramparts and looking up at the fortress visitors are reminded of the glory of the Venetians and the Ottomans who inhabited the island so very long ago. They can see how time has made this fortress such an important part of the Crete we all know today, it always shows us how important the port was to the island in ancient times.

Everyone who visits Heraklion cannot fail to admire the sheer size of the Koules fortress which has been restored to become one of the most important tourist attractions on the island. As with everything in Crete there is great pride in the history behind these incredible structures that have weathered the course of time so well. The island of Crete has many ruins from ancient times, every year visitors come to see, admire at marvel at them. The Koules fortress in Heraklion is just one of these amazing structures to be found on this amazing beautiful and historical island of Crete.

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Crete freshwater lakes and the myths

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

The island of Crete abounds with mythology and there is nowhere more mysterious on the island than the lake at Kournas.

Situated at the village of Kournas, the tale of the prettiest daughter of a priest who was the last virgin in the region lives on. The tale is one of a village (Kournas) that had become enveloped with sinful practices which angered God. He reacted by flooding the valley of Kournas with torrential rains in order to cleanse the village of their sinful ways. The priest’s daughter’s soul was saved because she was still pure of body and it is her soul that has never left the fresh waters of this idyllic and peaceful lake in Crete.

It is believed by all Cretans that her soul now watches over all the animals and wildlife that inhabit the shores of this beautiful freshwater lake making this lovely legend live on for us to enjoy in these modern times. At midnight every night she appears to feed the goldfish which is such a romantic and mysteriously enchanting myth of the Lady of the lake at Kournas that visitors from all over the world visit the valley to witness for themselves this charming and captivating area of Crete.

The area is one of superb natural beauty where no motor boats are allowed to go. The waters are as pure as they were centuries ago.

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People in pedaloes criss-cross the lake in the hope of catching a glimpse of the pretty lady but she is shy and very few people have had the pleasure of meeting her on the lake.

But should you be one of the many who has been disappointed at not meeting the lady of the lake, there is one aspect of this beautiful spot that will never disappoint anyone, and this is the beach at Kournas. It is truly a lovely sheltered spot that many visitors discover and fall in love with.

The absolute beauty of the area makes the whole region an enchanting place to visit for the day. You can soak up the sun and bathe in the cool clear water of one of the most beautiful lakes in Crete. An amazing experience to do is go to the beach in the morning and swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea then to drive up to Kournas for a freshwater dip before relaxing in the evening at your villa or hotel.

Another beautiful freshwater lake is Agio where in springtime rare flowers are found in abundance. There are some exquisite birds that inhabit this part of the island and it is one of the most popular areas for bird watching enthusiasts who flock here from all over the world to ‘twitch’ their time away. The natural beauty of the region is also one that all nature lovers come to discover and marvel at.

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Crete Mythology

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Crete and mythology is a wonderful marriage of beauty and fantasy. These lovely and often cruel legends tell us how the ancient civilisations explained certain phenomenon that occurred during their existence on this exquisite island. There are many myths and legends about events that happened and why names were given to certain things in Crete. Some of them are quite extraordinary but in ancient times these myths meant a great deal to the people who inhabited the island and they still do so today.

The legend of the god Zeus is one such myth. It is said that he was born in the Diktian Cave and after a battle with his father, Kronos, he took over the skies whilst his brother Poseidon ruled the oceans and of course Hades became king of the underworld.

The Minotaurus

The myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth is a tale of deception that went wrong and the result was the birth of the Minotaur, a being with a body of a man but the head and tail of a bull. A Labyrinth was built under the Palace in Knossos to imprison the Minotaur but later on it was slain by Theseus to prevent any further sacrifices being made to the Minotaur.

But Theseus forgot to put up a white sail, as he had promised to let his father know he had succeeded in killing the beast. His father was distraught and fell into the sea hence it was called the Aegean Sea. The myth is a wonderful legend that children all over Crete are taught because these stories explain the way things came about in ancient times and why things are how they are today.

There are more recent legends and tales on the island and one such tale is the story of the ’Drossoulites’. These are the ghosts of Chatzimichalis Dalianis and his men who were killed by the Turks during the 1821 revolution. On the 17th May every year these ghosts walk out of the sea to return to the fortress of Fangokastello where they were slain.

The myths, tales and legends of Crete form a vital part of their unique culture and the world would be a much poorer place if we did not have all the mythological beings, Gods and animals that are so important to the tales. Directors have made superb films based on Greek mythology which we have enjoyed for years and will probably delight in for years to come.

Visiting the island of Crete is arriving at the heart of a world of fantasy and wonderland where anything can happen no matter how fanciful it is. This is one of the many reasons that Crete is so much more than just a beautiful place to visit.

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Crete Archaeological sites that will take you back through the centuries

Friday, May 6th, 2011

The wonderful thing about travelling around the island of Crete is that there is just so much to see and do. When it comes to the archaeological sites found on the island it is like walking through a time warp, you will find yourself back in the glorious ancient eras of times long past.

Many of the sites that are dotted in strategic places all over the island are as free to view and explore as the air you breathe.

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People from all over the globe descend on the island to marvel at the archaeological digs that can be found here.

Minoan History

The ruins at Aptera are breathtaking. In ancient times it was one of the most important cities on Crete. It is thought to have been built by Glaukos and many digs have been carried out over time in an attempt at finding out more about this impressive and glorious part of Cretan history. Then there are the ruins at Falassarna where remains of Cyclopean walls, tombs, house foundations and sculptures carved out of the rocks can be seen, including a throne.

There are fortresses to be found and explored, their history to be absorbed and appreciated because it all forms part of understanding why Crete and its unique population is what it is today. Walking around the ancient ruins of Lissos, the religious centre in the south west of the island, cannot fail to leave you speechless. Lissos flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman eras and it is here that they built the Temple of Asklepios. Visitors can marvel at the remains of a Roman theatre and visit the chamber tombs which were cut out of the rock.

There are so many sites on the island of Crete and each one of them is worth visiting because they tell us so much about the ancient civilisations which inhabited such a beautiful island. These ancient people have left behind so many clues as to how they survived and we are all lucky enough to be able to investigate and discover just how they lived and died on Crete by walking through these ancient ruins. A great example of this is the ruins of Armeni, the Minoan cemetery which has tombs carved out of the rock.

It is by studying these marvellous sites that we begin to have an understanding of the ancient civilisations to whom we owe so much to today. Their expertise in the crafts they mastered and the wonderful legacy they have left us is something every visitor to Crete will enjoy and appreciate. Having visited any of these ancient ruins we come back to the world of today different people, maybe humbler, sometimes overawed but one thing is for sure – we all come away a little more knowledgeable.

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Archaeology and the discoveries of ancient civilisations on the island of Crete

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Discovering Crete means exploring the beautiful ruins of ancient civilisations and the best way of doing this is to hire a car and set off on an adventure that will be awe inspiring. One of the favourite sites to visit is the ancient palace in Knossos.

This incredible structure was built by the Minoans, the first European civilisation to be established. They built this amazing structure which is believed to be the first palace ever to be built in the entire world and standing before this magnificent edifice it is understandably a leveling experience for anybody who looks up at its ancient glory.

the Minoan Palace

The ruins were discovered in 1878 by a Cretan merchant and antiquarian but it was not until much later in 1900 that an independently wealthy English man, who purchased the entire site, began the huge task of excavating the area. The discovery of the Palace and the Minoan culture and civilisation astounded the archaeological world at that time and today it inspires all who see the restored buildings and frescoes that were originally painted by the Minoans in times long past.

Traveling around the island visitors will discover many ancient archaeological sites of other civilisations that came to Crete over the many hundreds of years after the Minoans so mysteriously vanished. There are tours organised for the enthusiast. These tours are both educational and interesting but by traveling independently around the island visitors interested in the lesser known ruins that lay lazily in the Cretan sunshine can enjoy the peaceful tranquility of their own discoveries in

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their own time.

Apart from the Minoan ruins found on Crete there are other ancient civilisations who left a legacy for us to marvel at and these include Hellenic, Roman, Venetian and Turkish sites that can be seen all over the island, both on the coast and inland too.

There is so much to see and wonder about the phenomenon of ancient times in an astoundingly spectacular naturally beautiful setting that visitors become immersed in the past and present simultaneously.

To tread where people centuries ago have lived and thrived is an amazing sensation that we all love to experience, it leaves us with a feeling that is hard to describe.

Being able to feel and experience the wonders of these civilisations and then to find a quiet tavern or cove to sit and ponder the wonders of the ancient world is how many visitors enjoy their holidays in Crete. It is so easy to do this here and with so many beautiful spots to choose from exploring the island is a real pleasure. It is an experience that must not be missed. Sitting in the evenings at one of the many lovely hotels just watching the extraordinary sunsets, everyone who has visited these ancient sites cannot help feeling very privileged indeed.

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