Palekastro

Toplou monastery (12 km far from Palekastro) is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete, dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St. John the Theologian. It was founded around the mid 15th century, probably on the ruins of an earlier convent. The monastery was plundered by the knights of Malta in 1530 and shattered in 1612 by a strong earthquake. Due to its strategic position, the senate of the Republic of Venice, then ruler of Crete, decided to financially aid in rebuilding it. The monastery flourished until the surrender of eastern Crete to the Turks in 1646, after which it was abandoned for a long time. In 1704, it acquired special protection privileges from the Patriarch (i.e., stauropegic) and was re-inhabited.

After its monks were slaughtered by Turks in 1821 during the Greek Revolution of Independence, Toplou was again deserted until 1828. In 1866, during the massive Cretan revolt against the Turks, it was once again devastated. During the German occupation of 1941-44, Toplou was providing shelter to resistance fighters and housed their wireless radio. When this was discovered by the Germans, the abbot and two monks were tortured and executed.

The Bronze Age town, whose original name is not known, is situated at Rousolakkos two kilometres from the village of Palekastro and 25 kilometres north of the Minoan town and Palace of Zakros. The location of the town was important as it was on the east coast, with a large plain behind it and a harbour that was sheltered by an outcrop of rock called Kastri hill. A number of small settlements, individual houses, cemeteries, ossuaries and quarries were also found in the surrounding area..

Petsofas is the archaeological site of a Minoan peak sanctuary on Petsofas Hill, about 3km far from Plekastro village. It overlooks the Minoan town of Palekastro and was excavated by John Myres in 1903. He discovered a large number of clay figurines, including animal and human figures dating to 1900 to 1450.

Among the ubiquitous human and animal figurines found in peak sanctuaries, Petsofas uniquely has clay figurines of weasels and tortoises. Some Petsofas cylinder seals bear a male figure resembling specimens recovered at the Minoan site of Knossos. Stone lamps, ceramic altars and ceramic building models have also been found at Petsofas.

The Archaeological Museum is located in Sitia town, 17km far from Pakekastro. Rich displays cover the periods 3500 B.C to 500 A.D. The oldest artefacts come from the wider region of Sitia.

The museum is divided into five chronological parts and displays include a valuable collection of vases, clay tablets in Linear A script which were found in the archives at Zakros, figurines from peak sanctuaries, a wine press from the neo-palatial period and a Hellenistic wheat mill. Of special interest is the ivory and gold male figurine which was found in Roussolakkos near Palekastro.

Each historical era has left its sign in the soil of Palekastro. See ancient sites arround Palekastro village:

The wider area of Palekastro is a jewel in the Mediterranean landscape. Its physiography and climate help in the development of a special flora and fauna, which attracts the visitor. In the section that follows, you may find general information about the beauty of the landscape.

Some of the sights in the area (from 0 to 15 km far from Palekastro) :

See photos from the unprecedented snowfall in Palekastro area at 13 and 14 February 2004 !!