Historical sites to visit in East Crete

There is so much history in Crete, it is difficult to know where to start - from Minoan settlements to Venetian fortresses, Turkish forts to Hellenistic cities

Gournia, offers an insight into an ordinary working Minoan town. Walk around the ruins and discover the houses and workshops where tools have been discovered showing that people in 1500BC were involved in fishing, agriculture, weaving, pottery making. Gournia is one of the best preserved historical sites and is yet to be fully uncovered, as it is thought to be four times as big as what can be currently seen. Climb to the top of the hill to get a good view of the whole site. The site was of strategic importance as it sat on the north coast road between east and west and the main route between north and south. You can find Gournia on the side of the main road near Pachia Ammos. 

There are three lovely secluded and quiet beaches at the historical site of Itanos, a little further along the road from Via beach. Ancient Itanos was an important harbour and city from Early Minoan to Early Byzantian times. The port was strategically placed to trade with Egypt and the surrounding towns along the coastline of Crete such as Ierapetra. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 8AD, rebuilt by inhabitants,  only to be destroyed by pirates and finally deserted in 15AD. It is well worth a good exploration of the whole site before taking a dip in the lovely waters of the bay. 

Further along the coastline is the archaeological site of the Palace at Zakros, the fourth largest Minoan settlement on Crete. It had a secure harbour so was strategically placed to become the centre of trade between countries of the east. You can walk around the ruins and imagine the palace and its surrounding buildings.  Getting there from Makrigialos is not for the faint hearted - although not far,  it takes in some very narrow windy roads up and down the mountain sides.

The Venetian Fort Kales at Ierapetra has an interesting history. Kales comes from the Turkish word for tower - Kule - and although it was built by the Venetians in 13AD, it was occupied by the Turks in 1647. The fort stands at the entrance of the old harbour and was used as a defence from enemies. 

The Kazarma Fortress sits high up on the hillside above Sitia. It was built in the 15th century by the Venetians, but frequently damaged by pirate raids and invaders and earthquakes in 1303 and 1508. It never returned to its formal glory after the Turkish army invaded in 1645 and turned the fortress into their fort, making changes to the inside of the structure. Today you can see some of the Turkish additions such as the domes on the guardhouses. 

The historical site at Itanos

Fort Kales in Ierapatra

Kazarma Fortress in Sitia