Arkalochori Square
Arkalochori Square
Sightseeing
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Arkalochori's central square is situated in the town of Arkalochori, within the municipality of Minoa Pediada.
Discoveries from the Minoan era have been unearthed in the broader region.
In the Venetian censuses, Arkalochori is referenced as ‘arcolecorio’.
Its name is connected to the word ‘arkalos’, meaning badger, which appears to have been present in the area historically.
Surrounding the square, you'll find café-bars, tavernas, and shops.
The square hosts a range of cultural activities, including music nights, music and dance performances, bazaars, and various social and environmental events.
see also
Ancient Lyttos or Lyktos
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
Church of Agia Anna and Agios Nikolaos in Drapeti
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 15th century. Notably, the frescoes featuring Byzantine emperors and the founder stand out.
Info: Wikipedia
Agios Efstathios in Amariano
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 20th September.
It is a two-aisled church, with the right aisle dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, commemorated on 25th March.
Info: Wikipedia
Amariano Fountain
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
Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in Evaggelismos
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
Three-aisled basilica of Agios Ioannis in Liliano
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 12th-13th 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
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