Page 275 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

was destroyed in 1700 BC; it
was later rebuilt and destroyed NÍKOS
again in 1450 BC. The site KAZANTZÁKIS
incorporates many features Crete’s greatest writer,
characteristic of other Minoan Níkos Kazantzákis
palaces – the great central (1883–1957) was dedi-
court with its sacrificial altar, cated to the Cretan
royal apart ments, lustral struggle for freedom
basins (water pools) and light- from Turkish rule. He
wells. In a small sanctuary in wrote poems, plays and
the west wing of the palace, novels including Zorba
the Minoan religious symbol the Greek and The Last
of the double axe (labrys), as Temptation of Christ
seen on vases at the Irákleio (both made into films).
Archaeo logical Museum (p258) The epitaph on his
are inscribed on twin pillars. grave in Irákleio’s
Beyond the palace, the walls reads: “I hope
remains of what is thought to for nothing. I fear
be a town are under excavation, nothing. I am free.”
Cretan Open-Air Museum while further north is the burial
" ⌂ Lychnostátis # Apr– site of Chrysólakkos. Treasures
Oct: 9am–2pm Sun–Fri uncovered here include a h
¢ Main public hols famous gold bee pendant,
∑ lychnostatis.gr also displayed in the Irákleio Lasíthi Plateau
Archaeo logical Museum. Ωροπέδιο Λασιθίου
Crete Golf Club The fast-developing fishing
⌂ 7 km (4 miles) S of village of Sísi, 7 km (4 miles) ⌂ 56 km (35 miles) SE
Hersónisos # Daily east of Mália, has a charming of Iráklio @ To Tzermiádo
∑ cretegolfclub.com port and a sheltered beach for A row of stone windmills at
swimming. There are a few the Séli Ambélou Pass marks
Acqua Plus Water Park good tavernas. Continuing the entry to the plain of Lasíthi,
" ⌂ 5 km (3 miles) S of east wards, there are stunning a flat agricultural area 800 m
National Highway # Mid- views down to Mílatos. (2,625 ft) above sea level.
May–early Oct: 10am–6pm From here a trail leads to Along the perimeter of the
daily (to 7pm Jul & Aug); the Mílatos Cave, where a plain are several villages, the
∑ acquaplus.gr shrine and glass-fronted largest of which is Tzermiádo,
casket of bones are a memo- with good tourist facilities.
rial to those massacred by On the southern edge of the
g Ottomans in 1823 during the plain, the village of Ágios
Geórgios has a small Folk and
Greek War of Independence.
Mália Historical Museum displaying
Μάλια Palace of Mália embroidery, paintings and
" ⌂ 3 km (2 miles) E of Mália Venizelos memorabilia.
⌂ 36 km (22 miles) E § 28970 31597 # Apr–Oct: The highlight of a visit to
of Iráklio @ 8am–8pm Tue–Sun; Nov– Lasíthi is the climb to the
Mália, a popular resort with Mar: 8am–3pm daily ¢ Main Diktian Cave, birthplace of
the package-holiday crowd, public hols Zeus. Artifacts unearthed here
bustles noisily with sun- include votive offerings, double
seekers bent on enjoying the axes and statuettes, now in
crowded beaches by day and the collection at the Irákleio
the cacophony of competing Archaeological Museum (p258).
clubs by night.
In marked contrast, the Folk and Historical
Minoan Palace of Mália lies in Museum
ruins along the coastal plain " ⌂ Ágios Geórgios # Apr–
to the east. The first palace Oct: 10am–6pm Mon–Sat
was built in 1900 BC, but it
Diktian Cave
" ⌂ Psychró § 28410
22462 # Apr–Oct: 8:30am–
A reconstructed urn 6:30pm daily; Nov–Mar:
found at the Minoan 8:30am–2:30pm daily
Palace of Mália ¢ Main public hols
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