Page 276 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

j k Folk Museum
" ⌂ Kondyláki 2 # 10am–
Eloúnda Ágios Nikólaos 2pm & 5–8:30pm Tue–Sun
Ελούντα Αγιος Νικόλαος ¢ Main public hols
⌂ 11 km (7 miles) N ⌂ 65 km (40 miles) W of Archaeological Museum
of Ágios Nikólaos @ Iráklio g @ n 28413 40100
⌂ Paleológou 74 § 28410
Once the site of the ancient One of the most delightful 24943 # 8am–3pm Tue–Sun
city-state of Olous, the town of
holiday centres in Crete, Ágios
EXPERIENCE Crete Venetians in 1579 as a fortified setting on the Mirabéllo Bay. l
Eloúnda was developed by the Nikólaos boasts a superb
In Hellenistic times, according
port situated on the Mirabéllo
Kritsá
to inscriptions dating back to
Bay. Today, it is an idyllic, well-
established resort.
193 BC, this was one of two
Κριτσά
East of the town a narrow
Lato pros Kamara (towards
strip joins the mainland to the
of Ágios Nikólaos @
the arch) and Lato Etera
long piece of land forming the flourishing cities called Lato: ⌂ 10 km (6 miles) W
Spinalónga peninsula. Just (Other Lato). Having declined Set at the foot of the Lasíthi
below the water’s surface here in importance under Venetian mountains, Kritsá is a small
can be seen remains of the rule, it was not until the 19th village known for its Byzantine
Greco-Roman city-state of century that modern Ágios church. Also a popular centre
Olous, with its temples of Zeus Nikólaos began to develop; for Cretan crafts, during the
and Artemis. To the north of it is now the busy capital of summer month its main street
the peninsula is the small Lasíthi province. is awash with lace, elaborately
island of Spinalónga, fortified A thriving resort, the pretty woven rugs and embroidered
by a 16th-century Venetian harbour is the centre of Ágios tablecloths. From the cafés
fortress. Surrended to the Nikólaos. Nearby, with a depth and tavernas along the main
Ottomans in 1715, it later of 64 m (210 ft), is the Lake of street, you can enjoy fine
contained a Muslim village Voulisméni. Overlooking the views of the valley leading
before serving as a leper lake, the Folk Museum houses down to the coast.
colony (from 1903 to 1957). a colourful display of tradi- East of Kritsá, just off the
Boats regu larly ferry tourists tional Cretan crafts and road among olive groves,
to the island from Eloúnda domestic items. Just north of the 13th-century church of
and Pláka, a nearby hamlet town, in the grounds of the Panagía Kerá contains some
that offers a pleasant retreat Mínos Palace Hotel, is the tiny of the finest frescoes in Crete,
from the town’s bustle. 10th- to 11th-century church dating from the 13th to mid-
of Ágios Nikólaos, after which 14th century. The building is
Spinalónga the town is named. triple-aisled, with the central
" # Apr–Oct: 9am–7pm daily Unfortunately, the town’s aisle being the oldest.
Archaeological Museum has North of Kritsá lie the ruins
been closed for years and of a fortified city founded by
seems destined to remain so. the Dorians in the 7th century
The only part of the building BC. Lato Etera flourished until
Did You Know? open is a small photography Classical times, when its for-
exhibition on the develop- tunes declined under Roman
Legend has it that ment of the modern town. rule: it was superseded by the
Athena bathed in
Ágios Nikólaos’
Lake of Voulisméni.

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