Palast von Festos (ca. 10 km)

Festos is the second largest Minoan palace after Knossos and has a majestic location overlooking the Mesara Plain. It was an important religious, administrative and economic centre during Minoan times. During the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods, Festos was independent, but its previous status was greatly decreased. The city state was defeated in 220 A.D. by Gortyn and destroyed. The first palace, built here around 1900 B.C., was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 B.C. Afterwards, the palace was rebuilt on a grander scale and this second construction is what is seen today.

Archaeologists began excavations here in 1900, at about the same time Evans was working at Knossos. The Italian archaeologist Federico Halbherr headed the Italian Archaeological Mission working at Festos. His focus and direction of excavation was completely different from Evans' at Knossos and, as a result, reconstruction was minimal.

Górtis (ca. 24 km)

To the west of Agia-Deka is the largest and one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete. The remains of the former capital city of the Roman province of Crete and Cyrene (Libya) are strewn across 420 hectares - more than 1,000 acres - of the fertile Messara plain. During the ancient years, here stood one of the most prominent cities in Crete. The city, is said to have first been inhabited during the Minoan Era (16th century BC). After Gortys occupied Phaestos, in the 3rd century BC, the city acquired two harbours, Levina and Matala and thrived. Excavations in the area offer a wealth of information about the city's history. The most exquisite of the finds is the famous "Laws of Gortys" (6th-5th century BC) which is also noted in Plato's "Law" and is an important sources of historic facts.

During the Roman and Byzantine Era, the city retained its status as, in contrast to its rival, Knossos, sided with the invading Romans. The city's population rose to 200,000 inhabitants and it was declared the capital of the island. The city of Gortys thrived until 828 AD, when the Saracens destroyed it. Among the finds of Gortys, one can admire ruins of the Basilica of St Titus (6th century AD) which was dedicated to Titus, the island's first bishop.

Other significant finds are the acropolis, the concave theatre, the ancient stadium (2nd century BC), the temple of Pythios Apollo (7th century BC), the temple of Isis and Serapes, the temple of Asklipios, the Spa, the Odeum (1st century BC), where the "Laws of Gortys" were built, and Praetorium, the seat of the Roman governor (2nd century BC).

Behind the Odeum stands the plane- tree where, according to mythology, the sons of Zeus and Europe were born: Radamanthys, Sarpedon and Minos. Most of the finds are exhibited at the local archaeological museum.

Visiting hours 8:00-20:00
Entrance Fee EUR 4.-
Telephone +30-28920 - 31492, 31144

Zaros (ca. 35 km)

A famous and healthy table-water comes from Zaros, a small Cretan village at the foot of the Psiloritis in the Idi mountains. Due to its extensive water resources, Zaros is a green oasis in mid-summer and Zaros is the only place where you will find trout and salmon farms. The monastery of Agios Nicolaos can be reached by means of a narrow road leading from Zaros. You can park your car or motorcycle on the car-park in front of it. The monastery of Agios Nicolaos is one of the earliest churches to be built in Crete. The ancient icons and mural paintings are a particular attraction. At present, monks are converting the monastery to an orphanage.

From the monastery you have direct access to the footpath through the Rouvas Gorge, which is a miniature version of the Samaria Gorge and which leads you to the high plateau of Agios Joannis (approx. 2 ½ hours).

Sitting in the shade of one of the ancient holm-oaks on the plateau, is the ideal place for a picnic. Don't forget to take plenty of water with you on your walk. Contrary to the Samaria Gorge, you will meet only a very few tourists on your walk and will have no admission fees to pay anywhere. The same path leads you back to the monastery of Agios Nicolaos, but it is in no way boring, since the Gorge takes on a completely new look now.

Once you have reached the end of the path, drive to the monastery of Vrodissi, where you can see some very old and beautiful icons. These icons are still of great importance for the local people. As grande finale of the day, you could enjoy a meal of trout or salmon in Zaros.

Vori (ca. 15 km)

Vori is a beautiful, traditional village of the county of Pirgiotissas in the Messara Valley. It is located 60 km south of Iraklion and in the western part of the Messara Valley. The village stretches in a slope, by the side of a small river. The archaeological site of Phaistos is 2 km to the south and the coast of Messara 4 km to the west. The Museum of Cretan Ethnology in the little town of Vori is an institution of the Cultural Association of the Province of Messara. It was erected between 1977-1982 and opened its doors to the public in 1988. The Museum has 20.000 visitors per year.

Visiting hours 10:00-18:00

Mires (ca. 20 km)

Mires is the biggest town in the Messara Valley with a population of approximately 5000 people. The town is the administrative center of the Messara Valley. It has a police station, magistrate's court,post office, public PTT office, health center, and offices of most Greek major banks. The cultural association of the town organizes various events (dances, feasts etc) during the months of July and August in the yard of the association's building and in the main square of the town. Another event that attracts visitors is the bazaar that takes place every Saturday in the town, in which locals form all the surrounding area, sell and trade food, animals and various handmade artifacts (clay and bronze pots and pans , etc..).

Timbaki (ca. 8 km)

The town of Timbaki, seat of the municipality, is located in the west edge of the valley of Messara, 65,3km away from Iraklion. The name of the town is derived from the word "timvos" that means tomb. Timbaki is a busy and rich town where early garden produces, citrus fruit and olives are cultivated. The excellent weather of the area has favoured the cultivation of horticultural plants. The town provides a full range of modern facilities; banks, post office, doctors office, stores, schools, hotels, restaurants etc. to cover the needs both of the locals as well as of the hundreds of the visitors. Every Friday from 7.00 bis 13.00 a market takes place.

Agia Galini (ca. 28 km)

Agia Galini is a seaside village and popular resort on the Libyan Sea and was once the harbour of ancient Sivritos. In the town behind the harbour there are many satisfactory restaurants and hotels. Agia Galini is a good place to stay overnight or for some days to explore the Amari Valley and the south side of Psiloritis, and to visit the archaeological areas of the Mesara Plain. The village clings to the mountains above the harbour, and has panoramic views across the Libyan Sea. The bay of Mesara shelters the harbour and provides a mild year-round water temperature. Opposite Agia Galini are seen the Paximadia islands, that can be visited by rented boats.

Along the coast, marine caves are accessible only by boat. One such cave, the cave of Daedalus, is said to have been the workshop of the mythical craftsman. The beautiful beaches of Agios Georgios and Agios Pavlos are nearby and accessible by caique (boat).

There are several good restaurants. E.g. the restaurant "Onar" with a nice terrace with view to the harbour. The prices are generally higher than in kalamaki.

Matala (ca. 13 km)

Matala was the ancient port of Phaistos and Gortys and a former fishing community which has developed into a modern holiday center. It is built on the coast line of the Messara bay inside a small and picturesque inlet. Matala was the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period, following the destruction of Kommos, and the port of Gortys during the Roman period when Gortys was proclaimed capital of Crete by the Romans. The Gortynians occupied Matala at 220 B.C.

Ruins of the ancient city are still visible on the sea bed as the ancient city was sunk in the sea. The archaeological pick has unearthed some traces of the palaces built by the nobles from the ancient cities of Phaistos and Gortys. There is also a cave known as "Brutospeliana" and legend has it that it was frequented by the Roman general Brutus. Owing to its exceptional natural beauty, Matala became the meeting place of the "Flower Children" in 1.968. Although their conference failed to realize, yet they were compensated by the incomparable beauty of the area, which so much contrasts with the concept of destruction and war.

Dates of religious (Greek Orthodoxy) festivities
with Cretan nights ("Panigiri") in Kalamaki and surroundings.