European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 05, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Crete Island escape pull Over for a swim when you re weary of sightseeing. By Craig Martin staff writer hot Days Cool nights Pristine beaches ancient artefacts ruins Greet vacationers on Crete. This Island May not be one of the first that pops into your mind when you think of places to visit. But these who have visited the Island cannot wait to return. Crete is the largest of the greek islands is situated on the South Side of the Aegean Basin in the easter Mediterranean Marks the Boundary Between Europe Africa. Crete reaps the benefits of the Mediterranean climate. It has Many months of summer Sunshine tempered by regular sea winds from the North a Short Winter which is Milder at the lower altitudes than that of Athens. Crete is renowned for the variety of vegetation on its Plains wildlife in its Chestnut Oak Cypress forests. There also Are Palm tree forests at Vai Prevoli Cedar forests in the villages of gave hos a Rissky Crete is a treasure House of relics of its past. To get started it s Best to Divide the Island into East we4t, begin in Iraklion the Island s largest City capital. Iraklion offers everything from the bustling night life to ancient Art displayed in museums. A visitor can dance in discos Dine at a restaurant overlooking the sea or visit museums take a trip in the past. In minoan times Iraklion was a Harbor for a Nessus the largest Palace Power Center of prehistoric Crete. Although it is built up the Center of the City remains the same a few traffic jammed streets around the open air Market the Marble Renaissance Fountain. Eleftheriou Venizelos Square a triangular cafe filled pedestrian zone is named after the cretan statesman who United the Island with Greece in 1913. The Iraklion archaeological museum boasts a Superb collection of minoan Art is billed by historians As one of the finest exhibits of its kind. One area that is a must see is the inner Harbor at the port where fishing boats land their catch yachts Are moored. To the right Rise the tall vaulted tunnels of the Arsenal. Here venetian galleys were built from the keel up. Others were repaired refitted with Timber. Three Stone Lions guard a miniature fortress that dominates the old port. The fortress known by its turkish name of Koules was built Between 1523 1540. Although a walk through the fort does t yield too Many artefacts a few brass Iron guns Are on display the Harbor modern Day apartments of Iraklion above As seen from the fortress below which dominates the old port. That was made the seat of government for the romans in . 67. There Are Many ruins in Gorton including a Small Amphitheater dating to the first Century a Church temples several Public Baths. Continue West through mfrs a flourishing Market town turn left for Praestus. The Palace of Praestus was built around 1900 . And rebuilt after a disastrous earthquake in 1650 . One of the most impressive features of this Palace is the grand staircase where you pass through a porch descend into the Central court. Much of the Southern Eastern portions of the Palace have eroded but there Are two Large storage jars still in place in the old storerooms. Go Back to mfrs take the main Road to Matala a popular resort Village that was renowned in the 1960s As a Stopover on the hippie Trail across the Eastern Mediterranean carved into the Cliffside Are second Century roman tombs where the hippies lived. Behind the Barren mountains at an Altitude of 2,800 feet lies the la sithi Plain. It is covered with mechanical windmills that pump water for Fields of potatoes for Apple Almond Orchards. La sithi the largest Plain on Crete has a unique atmosphere it is sometimes Cut off in Winter by heavy snowfalls. On the Eastern Side of Crete Are several cities you won t want to miss. Once a roman seaport the Village of Herson Issos is a charming tourist resort with dozens of souvenir shops pizzerias pubs discos cafe s taverns. You can see where the soldiers lived worked. But it s the View from the top that makes the $2 Entrance fee worthwhile. The panoramic View from the roof its Cannon ports takes in both the outer Harbor where freighters passenger ferries drop Anchor the sprawling network of Concrete apartments that Dot Iraklion cityscape. If you re hungry the Marina cafe in the old Harbor is a favorite gathering place for lunch or dinner. It also serves cake ice Cream Coffee cold drinks. About three Miles South of Iraklion is the minoan Palace of a Nessus. The Palace the largest on the Island has been partially restored. The most spectacular piece of Palace architecture is the grand staircase on the East Side of the court. Four flights of shallow Gypsum stairs survive lit by a deep Lightwell. South of Iraklion lies the traditional agriculture i a of Crete. The valleys Are lined with Olive Groves seedless grapes that Are exported. Leave Iraklion by the Khania Gate head for the North coast Highway. After about 1 Viz Miles turn left follow the signs to mires Praestus. Take a narrow Road that climbs slowly through an Olive Vine Clad Valley. You will go through a couple of quaint cretan towns. Several cafes Dot the towns Are Good places for a snack. About 25 Miles after entering this narrow Road you will come to the ruins of the Greco roman City of Gorton a huge expanse of scattered ruins August 5, 1993
