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ITANOS
MUNICIPALITY
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Where
to go - What you see
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The
visitor can not get bored in the Municipality of Itanos. The nature
endowed this area with a rare wild beauty, bare rocks and mountains
full of herbs and spices. With virgin beaches and golden sand,
with canyons and mystic caves, with archeological sites marked
by history and glory, with the lost civilizations that passed
the myth and made the history.
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Vai:
8km
away from Palekastro is situated the aesthetic palm forest
Vai. It is a unique biosphere that is surrounded by the
endemic, Phoenix of Theophrastos palm tree.
(PHOENIX THEOPHRASTI). It
is the largest and most beautiful palm groove in Europe.
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Itanos:
The
constitution of the town is established in prehistoric years.
It was a prosperous seaport, which gave it power as a business
and political center by trading with Egypt. Itanos
continued to flourish until the first Byzantine years.
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Monastery
of Toplou:
Within
a distance of 10km from Palekastro, appears the magnificient
historic monastery Toplou, from the 14th century.
It will astound the visitors with its remarkable architecture
and its castle-like appearance, with its rich collection
of unique treasures ans its impressive
old icons.
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Elia:
At
"Chiona" beach, about 2km away from the village was discovered
an important Minoan city, and rare finds like a gold and
ivory statuette 50cm high, that is displayed in the Archeological
Museum of Sitia.The flourishing civilisation has probably
been destroyed by the eruption of Santorini volcano. In
the same area, the excavations carried out revealed the
existence of the sacred Temple of Dia, shining then all
other Crete.
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Folklore
Museum of Palekastro:
The
Folklore Museum of Palekastro, is lodge in a rebuilt
traditional Cretan house. It exhibits the tools and objects
characteristic of local agrarian life.
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The
Gorge of Chochlakies: Fantastic
canyon situated 5km away from Palekastro, with about 2,5-3
km length. Its path is a special experience which gonna
fill with enthusiasm the nature lovers thanks to its impressive
and wild beauty.
After a walk of about 1.30 hour the gorge winds up at a
virgin and unspoiled beach,
ideal for swimming, fishing and resting.
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Pelekita
Cave: A
distance of 5 kilometers away from K. Zakros are the greatest
and most beautiful caves Crete has to offer. It is
an underground river, at the
end of the cave there is a small lake.You can tour them
on foot or by boat.
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Zakros
- Gorge - Kato Zakros:
20
kilometers from Palekastro, between the small villages
at the sides of the mountain is the village of Zakros.
It is a lush village with fresh water springs and
tall sycamore. Just outside of Zakros is the entrance
of the most beautiful canyon from all of Crete.
It has very high, straight walls with many
caves. It is called, The Cave of the Dead, because
there, in the caves, the Minoans of Zakros used
to bury their dead.
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It
is about a three hour walk in between the natural
configuration of rocks and multi colored
scenery.
A
large variety of flora and fauna are met along
the way, some of which are endemic to this area.
You also will see wild goats browsing the sides
of the canyon, as well as infrequently seen birds,
like eagles and hawks
that fly proudly above the canyon.
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At
the paths end is a tastefully developed beach area,
Kato Zakros one of the most quiet and serene
spots in Crete.This
was the place where King Minos chose to build his
country palace. Within only a few meters from the
beach you will find fish tavern's.
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2000 - 2008 © by www.palaikastro.com
Photography
& Web design
Manolis Tsantakis
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