Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of hotels with the highest standards of service. Beautiful landscape and an amazing view of the Mirambello bay is the reason why Elounda was so quickly and greedily absorbed by modern mass tourism. In luxurious SPA resorts, the most famous guests from Greece and around the world spend their holidays. It was in this place that Lady Gaga, well-known Greek and European politicians and Russian businessmen, whose names are on the top positions of the list of people with the largest personal assets, rested. Unfortunately, this accumulation of fame and luxury has significantly affected the prices that apply in the area of Elounda. Let us not kid ourselves, the rest in this place is reserved for people with properly thick wallets.
After arriving in this town, the modern Cretan architecture seems to completely blur the centuries-old history of Elounda. This area of the coast of Crete has been inhabited since Minoan times. In antiquity there was a very well-known city of Olous, about which Homer recalled in the epic. Ancient Olous was in a place called Poros. Currently, it is a narrow isthmus connecting the city of Elounda with the półolokytha peninsula. As a result of tectonic movements, the coast in this region of Crete has decreased significantly, which caused the destruction of this ancient city. Olous was sunk by the Mediterranean, and its ruins to this day can be seen through the waters of Mirambello Bay.
Olous was one of the most powerful and largest city-states. It had a port, and it minted its own coins and was an important center of worship. In ancient times, it was famous for the wooden statue of the goddess Artemis.
The reign of the Romans has definitely strengthened the city's position. Its strength is testified by the fact that in the fifth century in Olous there was a seat of the bishop. Currently, you can still admire the remains of the mosaic that was in this building.
In the 7th century, the city was invaded by Arab pirates in the Mediterranean. Olous was looted and largely destroyed. During this period, due to the inability to continue trading, the inhabitants of Olous abandoned their city and moved to the villages located inside the island. The fate of ancient Olous was sealed by a strong earthquake in 780 AD
It was not until the reign of the Venetians that Olous again appeared on the maps of that time. In 1376, the name Elonda (from the ancient Olound) is mentioned for the first time in documents. At the time, the Venetians were trading tycoons in the Mediterranean, so it is not surprising that they appreciated the high qualities of the natural port of Elounda. The Venetians significantly expanded the fortifications to protect the coast from the threat of still marauding pirates and from the Turks. It is during this period that a fortress is built on the island of Spinalonga. Strong fortifications armed with 35 cannons were such a perfect defense that the island remained in the possession of the Venetians until 1715, even though Crete was taken over by the Turks 70 years earlier.
During the Turkish occupation, Elounda did not develop as dynamically as before. Acquiring salt was still a good source of income and attracting workers from nearby villages such as Fourni. Newcomers usually settled in Pano Elounda and Kato Elounda. Just before the end of the Turkish occupation, Elounda had 681 inhabitants.
From 1913, after the unification of Crete with Greece, the number of inhabitants of this town began to grow dynamically. This trend continued in the following years, which translated into more than a two-fold increase in the number of inhabitants. In 1928 Elounda was inhabited by 1,500 people.
From 1928 until the outbreak of World War II, the British Imperial Airways seaplanes landed at Elounda to refuel before a further cruise.
During the Second World War, the German army occupied Elounda for strategic reasons to prevent any possible landing of the Allies.
The dynamic development of tourism in Elounda began in 1969, when the first large hotel was built.
There are still many fishing boats moored in the port, but the vast majority of them are touriste "taxis" running between Elounda and Spinalonga. We recommend taking a cruise to this characteristic island with a very interesting history. Dozens of minutes spent at sea will help you regain your strength and rest from the heat. Ships depart from the marina located just off the main square of the city. The cost of the cruise is around 20 € per person. For a little less money, you can also take a boat from the town of Plaka. Unfortunately, the cruise from that port is much shorter.
We also recommend a walk (or a car ride) to the narrow isthmus connecting the city of Elounda with the półolokytha peninsula. There are windmill remains along the asphalt road.
Panorama on the Mirambellou Bay from the road leading to Elounda
Regardless of the direction you are going to go from, you must first go to Agios Nikolaos. After reaching this city on one of the first intersections, you have to turn left, and then start an arduous climb along a road that extends along a mountain slope that descends into the sea. If you are a driver, unfortunately, but you will miss a lot of attractive views of one of the most beautiful parts of Crete - the Mirabello bay.
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Information about one of the more known tourist cities of Crete, or about Malia. Description of attractions located in the city of Malia and a description of the specificity of this town.
Kritsa is one of the largest villages in Crete. The village has a lot of shops with local crafts.
The Lasithi Plateau is located about 70 kilometers from the capital of Crete - Heraklion. The average height at which the terrain of this plateau is located is 840 m above sea level.
One of the tourist attractions eagerly visited by people spending their holidays in Crete is the Dikte (Psychro) cave. The main factors that attract people to this cave are a rich and varied dripstone robe and a close connection with mythology.
Among the olive groves in the place called Logari, which is less than a kilometer from the village of Kritsa, there is a small Byzantine church of Panagia Kera from the 13th-14th centuries.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
Most people crossing the route between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra will definitely notice the large crack which is marked by the mountain located east of this road. This majestic geological creation called Ha was probably created as a result of an earthquake.
Xerokambos is a small settlement in which you will find literally several taverns, and most of the buildings are single-storey and one-story houses. The big advantage of this beach is a gentle sandy descent to the sea.
Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a small town with less than 20,000 inhabitants. permanent residents (according to statistical data from 2001). This city is the capital of the Lasithi nomos.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
The ancient city of the LATO can be found near the charming village of Krista near Agios Nikolaos.
It is recognized that Gournia was inhabited between 3000 BC. 1,200 BC and is one of the few cities unearthed to a large extent.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
The first palace was built around 1900 BC. in the place where there was a quite impressive settlement whose remains were later transformed into the central part of the city.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
O Vai zrobiło się głośno, gdy w latach 70-tych na tle palmowego gaju nakręcono reklamę kokosowych batoników Bounty.
This inconspicuous little island located about 5 km from the center of Elounda is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Crete.
When heavy equipment entered the promontory near Sitia, no one expected that this area contained the ruins of the Hellenic city.
The abundance of water and shade mean that even at the peak of the tourist season, this place is full of lush vegetation.
At the top of a cone-shaped hill called Souvloto Mouri, the remains of an unusual building with a unique oval shape were discovered.
The ruins of the ancient city of Itanos are located at the eastern tip of Crete, less than 3 kilometers north of the famous palm beach of Vai. Although there are also nice beaches at Itanos, unlike its well-known neighbor, this place does not attract crowds. There are either accidental stray tourists or excavation enthusiasts here.
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Ierapetra (Ιεράπετρα) is the fourth largest city of Crete and also the largest town located in the Lassithi prefecture.
Diaskari Beach, also known as Green Beach, is less than 3 km from Makry Gialos.
Koufonissi is a small island in the Libyan Sea, located just a stone's throw from the southern coast of Crete.
Less than 10,000 population of Sitia makes the city the smallest in Crete. Some even go a step further and say perversely that it is rather the largest village of Crete.
Napoleon's house is one of the few typically tourist attractions in Ierapetra. About what could have happened here in the summer of 1798 and possibly how much in this legend is the truth we write in the article on the page below.
Zakros is a small town on the east coast of Crete, less than 40 km south-east of Sitia.
Moni Kapsa Monastery is one of the most interesting monasteries in Crete. Its massive buildings were erected on rocky, gray slopes surrounding the nearby Pervolakia Gorge.
However, Pachia Ammos is not a typical crowded and lively tourist destination, which is not lacking in the north of Crete.
Redirected from the site - Xania. Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. Although the official number of residents does not exceed 58 thousand. however, together with the neighboring towns, Chania forms an agglomeration with a population of approximately 130,000. people. Chania is located on the northern coast of the island, about 70 km west of Rethymno and 145 km west of Heraklion.
Sitia is the city that has the most "naj" in its sleeve ;-) It is the smallest city of Crete, the easternmost, with the quietest atmosphere and although it is the least developed compared to other Cretan cities, it's its residents are the most warm visitors. Less than 10,000 population of Sitia makes the city the smallest in Crete. Some even go a step further and say perversely that it is rather the largest village of Crete.
Redirected from the side - Olous - ancient Elounda. Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of hotels with the highest standards of service. Beautiful landscape and an amazing view of the Mirambello bay is the reason why Elounda was so quickly and greedily absorbed by modern mass tourism. In luxurious SPA resorts, the most famous guests from Greece and around the world spend their holidays. It was in this place that Lady Gaga rested,
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