Thursday, August 7, 2008

What to see in Crete

By Tom Scott


If you are planning on a vacation in Crete, there are some sights you simply can't miss. There are many worthy sights to see on Crete, and a lot of historical interest. If you find yourself going to Crete, you must simply see the following places.

Heraklion is the largest city in Crete. Home to approximately 140,000 people, this is also the site of the ruins of Knossos. These ruins date to the Bronze Age. If you're a history buff, you won't want to miss this well preserved site. Be sure to swing by Venizelous Square as well. This is a very beautiful place, as is Morosini Fountain. If you're a sports fan, be sure to take in a soccer match. Crete has two teams, the Ergotelis FC and the OFI Crete. Both teams are based out of Pankritiko Stadium.

There are many other Minoan ruin sites around Crete and there are also several museums that contain many artifacts, art collections and information about this ancient civilization. Among these are the Historical Museum of Crete and the Archaeological Museum. The Historical Museum of Crete covers the more recent history of the island and includes many art displays, while the Archaeological Museum, as you can imagine, includes many artifacts of the ancient Minoans. The Archaeological Museum is located in Heraklion, very close to the Palace of Knossos.

One of the largest castles on Crete is to be found in Rethymno, which is also home to an annual Wine Festival in July; other intersting festivals are held in the town as well. If you're interested in attending the Wine Festival however. be sure to book ahead; it can be hard to find lodging during this very popular event.

Lake Voulismeni should not be passed over. You'll find it near the town of Agios Nikolaos. Bronze Age ruins may be seen here as well. To get a feel for the culture of Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a place you should consider.

Sitia is the smallest town in Crete, but it has a lot to offer. On the east of town on the waterfront you'll find the Kazarma, a fortress once full of Venetians. Sitia is easy to get to as well the E75 runs right by it, making it very accessible.

If you are planning a Crete holiday, these cities should all be on your list. Each has different historical sites and cultural attractions. There is a lot going on in these cities, and you'll want to take advantage of them while on a Crete holiday.

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