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Ierapetra (Ιεράπετρα) is the fourth largest city of Crete and also the largest town located in the Lassithi prefecture. It is located on the south-eastern coast of the island, in the place of its characteristic narrowing. The name of the largest city in this part of Crete is by no means synonymous with some astronomical number of people living permanently in Ierapetra. In 2011, it was only about 16 thousand inhabitants. Low buildings, however, cause that the city is quite extensive and occupies a relatively large coastal area. In the very center, the dense buildings are separated by small narrow streets typical of other cities of Crete.
The city, like many others in Crete, can boast of a very long history dating back to antiquity. The first people inhabiting this area were probably Minoans.
Later, the town was originally called Kryba. It comes from a mythical founder who according to legends came to Crete from Rhodes. Later, the name was changed to Kamiros, Pytyna and ultimately to Hierapytyna, which can be translated as the Holy Hill. During this period it was the strongest urban center in the east of Crete. The dominant position in the region made Hierapetrine many times have to resist other neighboring independent cities like Malia, Viannos or Praisos.
Strategic location on the southern coast of Crete meant that the city did not escape the attention of the Romans. Despite the resistance of Hierapetrine residents, she could not resist such a powerful opponent, and from 66 BC on the fate of the city began to decide the new rulers of Crete. During this period Hierapetrina, after rebuilding the war damage, is experiencing its next flourishing. In the city there are many impressive buildings such as baths, theaters and aqueducts.
With the strengthening of Christianity, the importance of the city is not diminishing. To a large extent, this was due to the strategic location and the fact that Ierapetra is on the line of routes leading to the east. Unfortunately, in this period the city is often visited not only by merchants. Equally high interest arises among Arab pirates, who often plunder them.
Since the thirteenth century, when Venetians gain control of Crete, the city is known for its current name Ierapetra, which literally means Holy Stone. Already in the initial period new rulers decide that in order to protect the port, a fortress called later Kales will be built. Although the local myth reports that its current shape corresponds to the Pescatore genoa pirate, in reality these fortifications are the work of Francesco Morosini. In 1626 he directed works aimed at strengthening this building.
During the Ottoman rule, the importance of Ierapera decreases. A mosque is built in the city, which, together with the minaret, has survived to this day. At the end of Turkish rule in 1899, the Ottoman school called Mehtopi was built on the town hall square.
Inhabitants of Ierapetra also participate in all the liberation breaks, including those that took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and led to the liberation of the island from the Ottoman yoke. In 1905, the Kales fortress waved the Greek flag, which is proof of the unity of Crete and continental Greece.
Ierapetra is one of the least spectacular larger cities of Crete. Despite its long history, it can not boast of too many monuments or attractions. The strict city center has a very modern character devoid of tourist coloring. While strolling through the narrow streets of this city, you will most likely become part of the everyday hustle and bustle. The tourist climate typical of other cities of Crete can be felt only here on the coast and in the area of the city beach.
If you do not care about the attractions directed directly to tourists, it is the nature of Ierapetra that can bring a lot of advantages. Even on the main streets of the city, you will find stores without any problem, whose offer is addressed mainly to local residents. Buying a rich selection of excellent Cretan cheeses or fresh vegetables is not a problem.
Ierapetra is also a place that is quitewell communicated. Buses leave from the main KTEL station, allowing free communication in the eastern part of Crete. Good connections both to Agios Nikolaos, Sitia or Makrygialos give the opportunity for unrestricted and relatively cheap tour of these areas. Being here, it is also worth taking an interest in the possibility of a day-long trip to the Chrissi island, which is carried out directly from the port of Ierapetra.
When strolling around the city during the holidays, it is worth remembering that Ierapetra is extremely "hot" in the literal sense of the word. According to various statistics, the number of sunny days is one of the highest in Europe. Similarly, as well as the average annual temperature, which is around 20'C. Next to the island of Karpathos, it places Ierapetra at the top of the warmest cities in Greece and at the same time Europe.
In July and August there are long periods during which temperatures in Ierapetra can exceed 30'C. If you plan to visit this city, it is worth remembering the head covering, the appropriate cream with the filter, and also systematically irrigate the body.
Below you will find a list of some of the best known places to see in Ierapetra.
The Archaeological Museum located in this town is a small institution, which in comparison to other places of this type in Crete is difficult to consider attractive. Watching a relatively small number of exhibits, which are presented in an unattractive way, happily does not require exposing a large amount of money. The cost of a ticket for an adult is only 2 euros. It is also worth noting that the museum prohibits photography and video recording. If you are not an archeology freak you can definitely let go of this place. We strongly recommend you visit the Archaeological Museum in nearby Sitia.
At the moment, the museum is located in the building of the former Ottoman school - Mehtepi. This building was completed in 1899, ie during the dusk of Turkish rule in Crete. It is located in the center of Ierapetra at Kanoupaki square, which is the junction of the main streets such as Dimokratis, Antistaseos and Kothri.
One of the attractions described by all the guides is the house where Napoleon Bonaparte stayed for a very short time, and precisely for just one night. According to not fully confirmed and unreliable stories, it was to take place in the summer of 1798 on the way to Egypt. According to legend, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed in a house belonging to the Perouliou family, as an anonymous guest who had not been recognized by anyone. After his departure, the owners of the house found a card on which there was a handwritten inscription: " If you want to know who your visitor was, then know that I am Napoleon Bonaparte ."
Despite the fact that many historians question this event, it is worth appreciating that the legend built around this building allowed to save its original appearance. Thanks to this, today you can see how in the old days there was a typical urban building in Ierapetra.
Napoleon's house is a single small building with the number 9, which is located in the Kato Mera neighborhood near the port. It consists of only two low storeys. A simple facade, modest stone ornaments around the shutters and doors create a very harsh climate. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no possibility of visiting the interior of this house.
The mosque built during the Ottoman rule is one of the most significant monuments in this city. Unfortunately, this is another building whose interior is not shared with visitors. Next to a modest building in good condition, there is a minaret and a fountain. It is also one of the most beautiful fragments of Ierapetra.
Next to the mosque is one of the most characteristic buildings in this city. Unfortunately, looking through the prism of other such built fortificationsin Crete, Kales does not make such a big impression because of its small size. Visiting this place is limited only to bypassing the remains of military buildings. It is worth entering the top of the walls, from which there is a nice panorama on the port below. Although admission is completely free, it is worth bearing in mind that Kales is open to visitors only at scheduled times.
Getting to Ierapetra is quite easy. There is a convenient road leading here, which just after the town of Pachia Amos departs from the New National Road. Traveling a dozen or so kilometers of the narrowest part of Crete, this road goes to the edges of the Ierapetra. If you would like to take a KTEL bus here, this is not the slightest problem. Direct connections are available from both Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion and Sitia, located at the eastern end of the northern coast.
↤ click the appropriate part of the island to change the bottom map
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.
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. It is located in the central-eastern part of Crete, about 65 kilometers east of Heraklion. It is one of the first tourist resorts in Crete. Already in 1965, much earlier than in other cities of this island, the first hotel was opened here. Currently, Agios Nikolaos does not play such an important role in servicing tourist traffic in Crete, as it did years ago. Despite the fact that the city must now compete with other towns located in this area of Crete (such as Plaka, Elounda, Istro, Kalo Chori), every year thousands of tourists rest here from all corners of Europe.
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.
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.
Komentarze
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Byłem polecam
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Piękne miejsce
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Moja ulubiona. restauracja u Natalii.... Pysznie.
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Was here...
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Mariage Christina et Jeremy a Ierapetra
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Leider kann ich den Bericht nicht lesen... aber die Bilder sind toll
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A ja dodaję pomidorki z tamtąd właśnie . Pychaaaa
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Byłam polecam
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Piękne polecam
Cudowne miejsce na ziemi
Byłam dwa razy. Za kazdym razem bylo swietnie. Irapetra i jej okolice sa cudowne. Mam nadzieje ze i w tym roku uda mi sie tam wrocic.
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