Page 279 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

v HIKES AROUND ZÁKROS
Sitía Just inland from the port at Káto Zákros, the Gorge of the
Σητεία Dead (so called for the ancient tombs in its flanks)
⌂ 70 km (44 miles) E extends inland as far as modern Zákros village. It’s
of Ágios Nikólaos g @ actually a very alive canyon, with vegetation, birds and
potable water from the aqueduct threading it. Hikers
Snaking its way through the should allow two hours for a round trip. A 45-minute
mountains between Gourniá walk from Hohlakiés village takes hikers down the gorge
and Sitía, the National to Karoumés beach. A coastal trail also links Karoumés
Highway traverses some of with Káto Zákros – handy if you’ve left a car there.
the most magnificent scenery
in Crete. Towards Sitía, the
landscape gives way to barren
ridges and vineyards.
Although there is evidence
of a large Greco-Roman city in
the region, modern Sitía dates
from the 4th century AD. It
flourished under Byzantine
and early Venetian rule, but its
fortunes took a downturn in
the 16th century as a result
of earthquakes and pirate
attacks. When rebuilding took
place in the 1870s Sitía began Archaeological Museum The agricultural town of
to prosper once again. " ⌂ South edge of town, on Palékastro, 10 km (6 miles)
Today, the production of corner of National HIghway south of Váï, is the gateway
wine and olive oil is important to Palékastro § 28430 to sandy Koureménos beach,
to Sitía’s economy, and the 23917 # 8am–3pm Tue–Sun a major windsurfing centre.
town has replaced Ágios ¢ Main public hols
Nikólaos as the ferry port
for eastern Crete.
At the centre of Sitía’s old b n "
quarter lies a picturesque Zákros
harbour, with tavernas and Váï Beach Zάκρος
cafés clustering around its Παραλία Βάι
edges. Above the north end ⌂ 104 km (65 miles) SE
of the harbour the restored ⌂ 93 km (58 miles) E of Ágios Nikólaos @
Venetian fort (now used as an of Ágios Nikólaos @ ¢ Main public hols
open-air theatre) is all that Exotic Váï Beach is a tropical In 1961, Cretan archaeologist
remains of the once extensive paradise of palm trees known Nikolaos Platon discovered
fortifications of the town. The to have existed in ancient the unplundered Minoan
Kornaria Festival is a cultural times. This inviting sandy cove palace of Zákros. The fourth
event held in the fort from is tremendously popular with largest of the Minoan palaces,
mid-June until mid-August holiday-makers. Although it was built around 1700 BC
and is a great way for visitors thoroughly commercialized, and destroyed in the island-
to learn about the customs with overpriced tavernas and wide disaster of 1450 BC.
and traditions of Sitía. Festival the constant arrival of tour The two-storey palace was
events include music, theatre buses, great care is taken to arranged around a central
and dance performances, protect the palm trees. courtyard, the east side of
exhibitions and sports. In the desolate landscape which contained the royal
On the southern outskirts 3 km (2 miles) north of Váï, apartments. Remains of a
of town, the Archaeological the ruins of the ancient city- colonnaded cistern hall can
Museum displays artifacts state of Itanos stand on a still be seen, as can a stone-
from the Sitía district. Exhibits hill between two sandy lined well in which some
range from Neolithic to Roman coves. Minoan, Greco-Roman preserved 3,000-year-old
times and include an exquisite and Byzantine remains have olives were found in 1964.
Minoan ivory statuette known been excavated (the scant Finds from the palace include
as the Palékastro kouros, a traces of which can be seen an exquisite rock crystal jug
large pottery collection and a today), including a Byzantine and numerous vases, now in
sizeable haul of material from basilica and the ruins of the Iráklio Archaeological
Zákros Palace. some Classical temples. Museum (p258).
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