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Beaches
The Palmbeach Vai
At
a short distance from Kouremenos, only 10 minutes drive,
you can visit the palm forest Vai, cosmopolite and unique
for its rareness and beauty with its palm trees laying until
the beach of clear blue waters. The forest is the biggest
and unique aesthetic palm forest in Europe. The biggest
part of its 2,50 km˛ is not accessible in order to protect
the vegetation, especially from the sheeps of the surroundings.
The palm forest of Vai has been recognized as a biotope
with rare flora and fauna. The palm trees are self-planted
and belong to the endemic category of Theothrasti.
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Very
close from the palm forest of Vai, there is the archaeological
site of Itanos. The area is also known as Erimoupoli or
Ermoupoli. Apart from its archaeological importance, you
will see one of the most beautiful, windless beaches of
Crete, with white thin sand and deep crystal clear water,
worth to be visited.
Another one, maybe the most famous of the area is the beach
of Hiona. Only 2 km away from Palekastro, it is around 300
meters long, it is sandy and you will enjoy a rest under
the shadow of the trees. On the southeast side of the beach,
you will find isolated and beautiful small bays, ideal for
a quieter sunbath.
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Archaeological
Sites
Itanos
One
of the most remarkable archaeological sites, located at
a short distance from “Grandes Apartments” and only 1 km
away from the palm beach of Vai, is the one of Itanos
or Ermoupoli. The foundation of the ancient city Itanos
is dated from the prehistoric times. Important point of
transit, the city of Itanos had developed commercial relations
with Egypt and Middle East, where the city used to export
purple, sponges, glass and fish catches.
Roussolakkos
The site of the Minoan settlement, called Roussolakkos,
was excavated by R.C. Bosanquet and in 1906 by R.M. Dawkins,
both members of the British School of Archaeology at Athens.
The excavated sectors of the settlement suffered destruction
during the Second World War and much later, by a digging
machine. In 1965-66 excavations were conducted in part of
the settlement and on the neighbouring hill of Kastri. In
1986 excavations were resumed by the British School of Archaeology
and are still in progress.
Zakros
The palace at Zakros is the fourth in terms of
size, among the Minoan palaces. It was located at an advantageous
strategic position, at a protected bay, and was the centre
of commercial exchange with the countries of the East, as
is indicated by the excavation finds (elephants' tusks,
faience, copper etc.)
The palace at Zakros has two main building phases: the old
palace was built in c. 1900 B.C., and the new one in c.
1600 B.C., but was destroyed in 1450 B.C. along with the
other centres of Minoan Crete.
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Monasterys
Monastery
Toplou
It is an historical monastery of the 15th century, which
collapsed in the earthquake of 1612 and was rebuilt with
the financial aid of the Venetians. During the Ottoman conquest
of Crete, the monastery was destroyed and devastated by
the Turks. In 1704 the monastery was declared stauropegion.
During the Ottoman occupation there was a school in the
monastery, while, after 1870, it was founded there a school
of mutual teaching.
The
Monastery is a stauropegion fortress. The main building
of 800 m2 has three floors, which are divided into cells,
guest - houses, kitchens, the abbot' s residense and warehouses.
The katholicon is a two-aisled church; the northern aisle
is dedicated to the Virgin, and the southern posterior aisle,
to St John the Theologian. The monastery's characteristic
bell tower bears relief crowns and crosses with inscriptions
and the date 1558.
In
the Monastery, there is also an interesting Museum.
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