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Ruins of the Minoan Palace at Knossos (5 kilometres southeast of Heraklion). Built towards the end of the second millennium BC. It was destroyed circa 1700 BC, rebuilt, and destroyed a final time in 1350 BC. |
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Constant habitation for 9,000 years has brought about great changes to the natural
environment. In Minoan times a river flowed all year round and the surrounding hills
were covered in oak and cypress trees, where today we see vines and olives.
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A street near the harbor in Crete's largets city, Heraklion. |
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The Koules Venetian Fortress on the harbour walls, built in the early 1500's.
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A view of the Heraklion harbor from the Koules Venetian Fortress. |
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Ferries in the Heraklion harbor (many Europeans drive to Athens and bring their cars via
ferry to Crete for vacations).
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Along the mountain road up to the Lassithi Plateau we saw many goats. With very little enforcement of speed limits, one had to be careful not to run into the livestock roaming freely or running off the road and down the side of the mountain. Of course, one could also drive slowly, but what fun is that? |
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Looking north towards Greece from the road to the Lassithi Plateau.
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The Lassithi Plateau. |
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Looking into the cave of Diktaion Antron, where mythology says Zeus was born.
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Opposite the Lassitha Plateau (and poorly marked) is the Kronos cave, apparently where Zeus' father Kronos was born. Here is the entrance to the Kronos cave. |
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Crete has a lot of beach and waterfront play areas. Here is one.
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Looking east along the coast from Heraklion in the afternoon. |
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Looking east along the coast from Hersonissos in the morning.
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