One of the most formidable and probably the oldest city in Crete is situated within the Municipality of Minoa, Pediada.

This city is ancient Lyttos, also known as Lyktos, referenced by numerous Greek writers, including Homer.

What visitors encounter today at the archaeological site represents a later phase of construction dating from the Classical to the Roman period, a time of prosperity for the city. Lyttos probably served as a residential centre until the 7th century AD. Homer's Lyttos, associated with the ru-ki-to mentioned in the Linear B tablets of Knossos, remains undiscovered.

Although not entirely excavated, this ancient settlement is believed to encompass an area exceeding 1000 acres, encompassing the hill's summit and its slopes.

Info/ Photos: Municipality of Minoa, Pediada

Photos 1-3: Wikimedia Commons

In the charming village of Drapeti, within the Municipality of Minoa, Pediada, one can find a two-aisled church dedicated to Agia Anna and Agios Nikolaos.

The church interior is adorned with frescoes depicting religious scenes from the early 15^th century. Notably, the frescoes featuring Byzantine emperors and the founder stand out.

Info: Wikipedia

The name Stathis (short for ‘Efstathios) is quite common among the residents of Amariano, Pediada.

The patron saint of the village is Agios Efstathios, whose commemoration takes place on 20^th September.

It is a two-aisled church, with the right aisle dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, commemorated on 25^th March.

Info: Wikipedia

One thing is certain: there's no shortage of water in the village of Amariano, located in the Municipality of Minoa, Pediada.

According to one theory, the name of the settlement is believed to derive from the Homeric term ‘amara’.

In the central square of the village, a fountain quenches the thirst of visitors.

It is the spring with its water channel that was transformed into a tank in 1898.

Info: Wikipedia

In the settlement of Evangelismos (the name meaning 'Annunciation' in Greek) within the Municipality of Minoa, Pediada, one can discover the Byzantine Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, embellished with frescoes.

This accounts for the current name of the village, as its previous name was Muchtari.

Info: Wikipedia

In the picturesque village of Lilianos in the Municipality of Minoa, Pediada, one finds the three-aisled basilica of Agios Ioannis.

Its presence indicates that the settlement existed before, during the second Byzantine period, albeit under a different name. The middle aisle of the basilica boasts a greater height. Connecting them are pointed arches supported by columns adorned with Ionic order capitals. The narthex is open, featuring a large arch, while the door and windows also showcase pointed arches. The walls are constructed with scraped stonework, incorporating materials from earlier structures.

The entire church dates back to approximately the 12^th-13^th century. Indeed, it stands as the last exemplar of a church constructed following the blueprints of the oldest basilicas, which have long been forsaken.

Info: Wikipedia