Crete. Argiroupoli village and waterfalls that don't exist. Argiroupoli - a mountain village with a long history

Crete - beautiful place, where you can spend an amazing vacation, look at the sights created many centuries ago. The most popular place is the Samaria Gorge (Crete). A huge number of tourists come here from year to year to see unforgettable beauty created by nature.

Crete as a tourist destination

This is the most large island Greece, which is popular with tourists not only in Europe, but throughout the world. It is located in a unique place and its shores are washed by three seas. Nature has been preserved here in its original form. Centuries-old history connects the island with myths Ancient Greece: it is the birthplace of the god Zeus. The settlement of this territory began more than 10 thousand years ago.

Tourists can stay on the island throughout the year, thanks to its climatic conditions. Some places are generally better to visit in winter time, and especially the Samaria Gorge (Crete). It is marked on the map as the main natural attraction of the island, and it is not difficult to get to it. Basically, tourists start coming here in April. At that time best conditions for relaxation provides Elafonisi beach with a magnificent pink sand. In addition, the cost of tours at the beginning of the season is still quite low, so you can have a good time by paying the minimum amount.

Elafonisi beach

Popular gorges and waterfalls

Crete has a large number of sights created by nature. The most popular are the Imbros Gorge (Crete) and the Mili Gorge (Crete), where groves of incredible beauty grow. The most visited waterfall is Lappa, whose streams of water flow down the terraces very effectively. Near the waterfall is the village of Argiroupoli, whose architecture intertwined many eras.

Orino Gorge is another interesting place, as a large number of red butterflies regularly flock here. It will take at least 4 hours to visit the canyon, so small children should not be taken on this route. If you go the other way and go to the mountains of Sitia and Nikolaos, then between them you can see the beautiful and picturesque gorge of Richtis (Crete), which ends at the coast.

Walking along the canyon, you can meet a huge number of plane trees and walnut trees. At the end of the canyon is a small beautiful lake. To make your trip here an unforgettable experience, you can use the advice given by professional tourists who know a lot about what they want to see and what to enjoy during the trip.

The miraculous beauty of Mili

Tips from tourists who visited Richtis:

• be sure to take water with you, as it is quite hot in this area, and there is nowhere to buy it there;
• it is better to wear comfortable shoes, as the path along which there is a tourist not always smooth;
• it is not recommended to visit this place after rain, since almost the entire path will be in the water, and the stones on which you can move are quite slippery;
• given that it is very beautiful here, you need to take a camera with you to capture what you see:
• you should definitely see Prassano Gorge (Crete), Sarakina Gorge (Crete), Kourtaliotiko Gorge (Crete), Gorge of the Dead(Crete).

Many tourists who have visited the island are advised to visit the Kourtaliot Gorge (Crete). In addition to rocks, there are also waterfalls. The name is translated into Russian as "The Gorge of Flapping Sails". And indeed, going into it you can hear the bewitching sounds.

In fact, they appear due to the fact that a huge amount of water falls from the top of the mountain. Two monasteries, an ancient bridge and other sights have been preserved here. Travel here can be done on different types transport, including by car. But despite this, most of Excursions are on foot, so comfortable shoes are required.

Kourtaliot Gorge

Samaria Gorge

The place itself is considered the pride of all European continent due to the fact that it is simply delightful and attractive for a large number of tourists. Its length is more than 16 kilometers, and that is why it has rightfully earned the status of the longest gorge in Europe. Up to 300 thousand tourists come to see it every year. ABOUT this place there is a mention even among ancient authors.

It was here that during the excavations a large number of ruins of ancient temples dedicated to various gods were found. There was also small village Samaria (Crete), completely inaccessible to enemies. In 1962, Samaria was given the status national park. A large number of architectural monuments, among which the church of St. Nicholas, St. Mary. The cost of the tour is up to 50 euros.*

Note! On the territory of Crete there are a huge number of temples where candles are constantly burning. Anyone can put them to his saint.

Mylonas Gorge and Waterfall

To the east of the city of Ierapetra there is an amazing place that is surrounded by greenery. This is Mylonas. Going deeper you can see the miracle of nature - a waterfall. It is the second largest in Crete. Its height is 40 meters and the water, falling down, causes quite a lot of noise. To walk around this place, you must have good physical fitness.

Samaria Gorge

The subtleties of tourism in Crete

Regardless of which country the tourist goes to, you should pay attention to the rules of being in it:

• it is forbidden to make noise in hotels;
• only those who are included in the list of guests can stay at the hotel;
• it is better to swim in the daytime, and to be in the room at lunchtime;
• don't drink tap water.

Crete - amazing island where you can have a great time and see a lot of interesting things.

* Prices are for 2018.

The place is a magnet. Lappa - Argyroupolis. November 3rd, 2016

I'll tell you about one of those places in Crete that I remember most often...

Argyroupolis.

The modern village of Argyroupolis arose on the site of a once prosperous ancient city Lappa, which was one of the most important and significant cities in western Crete.

For two thousand years, the rich city of antiquity has turned into a cozy mountain village, where curious tourists come to gawk at the ruins of their former glory. A very picturesque place!

The village is located about 25 kilometers from the city of Rethymno, in the mountains, at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level on the Azonas hill, which rises between the Petre and Muselas rivers.

The village is almost entirely built on the ruins of the independent and proud ancient city of Lappa.

The houses stand on the stone foundations of houses that were built thousands of years ago.

Stones from ancient ruins were used to build houses.

It is believed that the city had control over both coasts of the island (north and south) due to the small width of the land in this place. Under his control were the surrounding villages, as well as, probably, Lake Korisia ( modern name Kurnas). The city was reputed to be proud and independent.

Lappa was famous for its strong, hardy warriors, and the fame of them thundered not only in Greece, but almost throughout the then Oikoumene.
Every noble nobleman considered it an honor to have such soldiers in his squad.

The city garrison of Lappa was quite a formidable force, so foreign invaders did not dare to touch the city.

Only in 68 BC, the Roman troops, led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus, managed to capture and destroy the recalcitrant Lappa, who supported the emperor Octavian in the fight against Mark Antony.

After his victory, Octavian helped rebuild the city. Already in 31 BC. Lappa experienced a renaissance, becoming even stronger and significant city who erected new buildings, thermal baths, and even minted their own coin.

As time went on, earthquakes destroyed Lappa, but the city was finally destroyed by the Saracen Arabs, who captured the island in the 9th century AD. The city was wiped off the face of the earth.

In the next photo on the right behind the house... an ionic column!?) ...

Gradually, in place of Lappa grew small town Poli, which was called Gaidopoli Kalamotos under Turkish rule, later reduced to a village, which in 1822 received the name Argiroupoli. Argentum - silver, polis - city. A city built on springs of silver water.
The springs have not dried up since the time of the Roman Empire and to this day, there are many of them, all picturesque.

The last high point, when the name reappeared on the pages of history, Argiroupoli experienced in 1878: it was here that the accession of Crete to Greece was proclaimed.

Since then, Argiroupoli has been a quiet mountain village. Today its population is about 400 people.

And in our time in Argiroupoli, literally every house, every stone breathes history.

There are such houses.
The second floor is clearly built on. The first one is the old one. With unevenly spaced windows of different sizes.

there are also those embellished, ennobled).
I saw palm leaves in the trunk of a car. I wonder what the owners will do with them? ..

We also grow flowers on our balconies ... True, they never grow to such sizes)

It is so amazing to see fragments of buildings of later times built into modern houses, mosaic floors, a Venetian portal that blends harmoniously into a modern street, the remains of the ancient city of Lappa...

Not so long ago, one of the residents decided to clear a place next to his house in order to build something. Cleared ....))

An ancient mosaic has been discovered. The poor fellow had to lose and new building, and in general a piece of land.

Now only cats can freely walk on the ancient.

The locals are kind and friendly, but extremely economic.

They say in residential buildings often you can find the remains of mosaics with which people decorate their homes: walls, floors.
Well, I walked - I found it, I brought it home). Useful on the farm.

Pomegranates, lemons, tangerines, oranges ripen in the gardens... Olive trees and avocados grow on the slopes. Fresh air, mountains, sea. Beauty around.
What more do you need from life?

Lappa is still considered the oldest diocese of Crete, founded by the Apostle Titus himself. From the first years of the birth of Christianity until the tenth century, the city was administered by the Bishop of Lappa: for several hundred years there was the residence of the bishop, which was then transferred to the seaside village of Episkopi.

In the village of Argiroupoli there is one large 19th century and three small churches: the churches of St. John, St. Paraskeva and the Holy Power (Agia Dynami).

The largest one is on the square where the buses stop is under restoration, you can only see the bell tower

I will talk about the latter when I talk about springs, Roman aqueducts and taverns.

The second, the church of St. Paraskeva, was closed,

but I’ll show you the third, the Church of St. John. It is located in an inconspicuous narrow lane, you won’t immediately understand that this is a church.. And it is very ancient. Tenth century.

Here is the entrance, without any pomposity. If the door is closed, you can pass by without realizing that this is a church.

Inside, everything breathes with History ... Cozy, small, like a home church.
Embroidered towels next to the icons painted by the students of El Greco, whose real name is Domenico Theotokopuli, originally from Crete, from these places.

Fine wood carving..

Frescoes can be seen on the ceiling above the altar. Or rather, what's left of them...

I want to tell a little about St. John, after whom this church is named.

As soon as the Arab rule ended (961), John the Wanderer appeared in these places, originally from Siv in Messara.

John the Stranger considered it his great duty or "God's command" to build here, in this center of the ancient Christian dioceses, which fell into decay during the Arab conquest, (from 980 to 1030) monasteries and churches.
Which is what he did all his life.

Saint John erected several churches (including this one), which he attributed to the monastery of Myriokefaly, founded by him with the status of a patriarchal stavropegia (that is, a monastery under the direct control of the Patriarch of Constantinople).

Since his activities had an extremely important impact on the Byzantine history of Crete, this fruitful period is sometimes called the Cretan-Byzantine revival.

Archaeologists here expanse). Dig - I don't want to.

The excavations of the last twenty years have been particularly successful, they say.
They found especially many objects of the late Roman period (2-4 centuries AD). The sculptures found here, amphoras, coins, marble statues, household vessels and things for personal use.

You have to go here to enjoy ancient ruins, enjoy the beauty famous waterfalls and taste delicious dishes in taverns. About taverns - a separate story)

And what views!

How great it is to wake up in the morning in such a house: you can see the sea on the right, mountains on the left)

Look how the machine stands: almost over a cliff. She has nowhere to turn around. To the right, there is a narrow street.

The village is home to the famous Lappa Avocado cosmetics shop. Avocados are grown right there, plantations are located near the village.

All cosmetics are natural, created according to family recipes. Some tourists specially come to Argiroupoli every year for creams made from olive oil and avocados.

The village is also famous for its homemade ice cream. Some are greedy and buy so much of it that they can't eat it)

In the liveliest part of the village, near the square, there are several restaurants and cafes, there is a shopping street

How I love these things! I wanted to buy everything.))

There are small hotels.

There are tanned and not so tanned dogs)

You can go to the museum of Cretan culture.

Getting to Argyroupolis is not difficult. There is a regular bus from Rethymno bus station to Argyroupoli on weekdays. There are no flights to Argiroupoli on weekends.

From the town of Geogioupolis, closer to the ancient Lappa, sightseeing trains go, they also bring tourists to Lake Kournas.

In August, the African heat reigns in Crete. If you do not turn on the air conditioner, then the computer instantly overheats. It’s good to experience such hot days at sea, and if you are already a little tired of the sea, then you can use one of the “cooling” routes, which we will talk about right now.

We go to Ancient Lappa, on the site of which the village of Argiroupoli is now located. Argiroupoli is known for its streams and waterfalls, which are gracefully inscribed with numerous taverns serving freshwater fish dishes to guests. But let's leave the meal for later and start our walk from the top of the village. It's hot, so you need to have time to get here before lunch. But you need to get there, because times and epochs are so curiously intertwined here.

We park on main square near the clock tower. The Arhea Lappa sign immediately catches your eye. We begin to turn our heads in different directions, but in front of us is only the Cathedral of St. John the Wanderer and some buoys right behind the parking lot. That's where the ruins of ancient buildings are located. Their contemplation can be a pleasure for archaeologists, but nothing about them is clear to mere mortals, so we turn around and move towards the Avocado cafe.

Do you know that avocados also grow in Crete? No? So know. Crete has such a climate that even avocados with kiwi are enough.
We buy a bottle of water and go into an impromptu gate.

Here we are handed a plan with sights. So far, such a paper does not exist in Russian, but if you speak English, then it will help you. But just follow main street.

.

Follow the main street and keep an eye on your surroundings. Many architectural details in this wonderful village were borrowed from past centuries. So, on the left as you move, you will find a private house, the entrance to which is decorated with a gate of the 14th century (in memory of the Venetian merchants). Yes, on an ordinary village street.

You can deviate a little from the route and wander along the shady streets, get into someone's garden and find a piece of a column that was accidentally thrown there. Maybe not so long ago it served as an olive oil press?

But quite an eclectic furniture ensemble.

A common thing: a bottle of raki left by someone for passers-by.

Or here Observation deck, which is actually the verandah of someone's house, kindly made available for public use.

And if you go down a little down the street, you can find another column decorating someone's house.

In Argiroupoli, one organically grows out of the other and nothing goes anywhere. It is good that different stones can be used in construction many times.

By the way, several famous Cretan families come from here, for example Kallergis, who were relatives of the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros Fokas. This is quite a common Cretan surname and, it turns out, one big family. Here you can see one of the variants of the coat of arms of this family.

The church of Agia Panagia is full of flowers. She is dedicated Virgin and is always open to access.

Well, not far from it, a wonderfully preserved mosaic floor is found, which depicts a painfully familiar pattern that always pops up in the head when it comes to Ancient Greece.

This mosaic floor belongs to the Roman baths and dates back to the 1st century BC. Around it are residential buildings, and the floor itself is under a canopy, so it is not surprising that you can pass by, mistaking it for an outbuilding and not paying any attention.

Now we are trying to find that path (check with the locals) that leads down to the Church of the Five Holy Virgins (Pente Pathenas), and at the same time to the necropolis Ancient Lappa. The young Martha, Athena, Mary, Thekla and Marianna once lived there, who were martyred around 250 AD. e. during the persecution of Christians.

People's rumor made them saints. In the church there are several icons depicting young maidens, and metal plates are hung on them with various parts of the body engraved on them. It is believed that it helps in the treatment of a particular disease. Such plates are generally often found in Cretan churches.
In the same rock, to which the church is attached, "rooms" are made. At first they can be mistaken for cells or water tanks. But actually this is an ancient necropolis.

We continue down the stone path. It leads to the famous 20th century plane tree - the same age as Jesus Christ, by the way. The huge tree is so old that its lower part has completely gone underground and it seems that this is not one tree, but two.

Today, a summer school camp is being built at its foot. Little Greeks have the pleasure of learning history not from books, but from nature. To be honest, the place for Crete is not quite ordinary. The shadow from the branches of trees, the sky is almost invisible, the muffled noise of the stream - this is so unlike the usual blue and white palette sea ​​coast. At some point, it even becomes chilly. So we are returning from where we came from, but we do not go up to the village, but go down to the springs of Argiroupoli.

Here the noise of conversations merges with the noise of numerous streams that run down the mountain along the old aqueducts.
Previously, these streams supplied water to the nearest city of Rethymnon. It is noteworthy that the aqueducts were not destroyed, but made part of the taverns. This allowed Argiroupoli to become another tourist feature.

The abundance of water is the key element. Waterfalls replace walls and air conditioners, and reservoirs serve as refrigerators for food and even live fish, which you will probably be offered to taste. Feel free to agree. For this fish here in summer season even come locals. And the prices don't bite too much.

We ourselves did not eat this fish, we managed with watermelon. Now is the season of watermelons, besides, the watermelon diet is good for the figure and for health.

We start the return ascent from the cave chapel of Agia Dinami, which was built right in the cave, from where the river Muselas bursts into the light of day from the mountain. We move with stops and now, after a few minutes, we see the familiar clock tower above us. Somewhere there was our car. She must have been wildly warm under the sun.

We seem to have enjoyed the shade to the fullest.

How to get there: Argiroupoli is located 27 kilometers west of Rethymno. You are driving along the national highway towards Chania, carefully look at the signs, after about 15 km there will be a left turn to Episkopi, then follow the signs to the south.

There is much more water in Argyroupoli in winter period, but that's when everything is closed there.

The only thing freshwater lake in Crete - Kournas is located in the western part of the island - between the cities of Chania and Rethymno. According to legend, the lake is fed by springs originating in Athens itself, however, of course, this is nothing more than a myth.

Compared with eastern part the islands, the surroundings of Kournas - the real jungle of the Amazon surrounded by mountains. Time here flies by unnoticed. This is facilitated not only natural beauty, but also enterprising locals who built numerous taverns on its shores and equipped rental catamarans.

Another man-made attraction of Kournas is the river bus that runs along it. Nature, however, also endowed the lake not only with beauty: small freshwater turtles are found in its waters.

Lake Kournas

Not far from Kournas, the ancient settlement of Lappa is marked on the map of the island's attractions. Be sure to go here: the modern village of Argyroupoli, located in its place, is one of the most remarkable in Crete.

Differences in relief and numerous water sources have turned the village into a land of lush vegetation and waterfalls. Their natural energy powers the windmills that the locals use for their daily purposes. In Lapp, by the way, there is also something to see.

#4 Chania: Old Town and Harbor

At 160 kilometers from Heraklion - in the very west of the island - the second most important city of Crete, Chania, is located. However, the status of the second townspeople only touches: until 1971, the capital was in Chania, and the status of beautiful city stayed with her to this day.

The Italian heritage of Chania is one of the most significant in Greece. The city was once an important logistical and administrative center Republic of Venice, until the Turks took it in 1645.

The history of the fall of Chania is one of the most dramatic pages in the annals of the island: 40,000 people died here in 2 months of the siege. For comparison, modern population the city is a little more than 50 thousand. Upon returning to his homeland, the Turkish pasha, who commanded the besiegers, was executed for unreasonably high losses.

Old city with a harbor - the main attraction of Chania

But these are all things of bygone days. Today, Chania captivates with its charm, which is especially noticeable in the contrast between the old and the new city. The Venetian part is dominated by cozy cobbled streets, a lot of flowers and small cozy shops.

The harbor, completely strewn with cafes and restaurants, deserves special attention. By the way, their prices don't bite.

During its history, Chania managed to visit not only the Venetian, Turkish and Greek. On the site of the city, the ancient policy of Kydonia used to flourish, the history of which is lost in the centuries of the Minoan period. In those distant times, Kydonia was not inferior in its significance to Knossos and Gortyn. Now this is reminded by intensive excavations and finds exhibited in Archaeological Museum.

Traces of Turkish rule have also been preserved in the city. Their Special attention to Chania was due to the fact that under the Ottomans there was the residence of the pasha of the island. The oldest and significant monument city ​​of the Turkish period is the Janissaries Mosque (1645).

During the Second World War, due to intense bombing, the Mosque was significantly damaged, but later restored again. Now this building has nothing to do with religion: art exhibitions are held here, and there is also a tourist office.

In addition to the already mentioned Archaeological Museum, Chania also deserves attention Maritime Museum. The exposition includes many exhibits, from bronze age and ending with today, but, nevertheless, the main feature of the museum is the layout of the city of the 17th century with a port and shipyards.

In addition, on the second floor of the museum, a collection of models of ships of the modern Greek Navy and an exposition telling about the German invasion of the island is of interest.

#3 Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Located in the city center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum boasts the world's finest collection of Minoan artefacts. After a large-scale reconstruction completed in 2014, the exposition has expanded significantly and now occupies 27 rooms.

The period to which the exhibits belong covers more than 7,000 years: from the Neolithic (approximately 7000 BC) to the era of late Roman rule (circa 3rd century AD).

Model of the Palace of Knossos in the Archaeological Museum

The collection is extremely rich and consists of finds discovered during excavations in the central and eastern parts islands.

Among the main exhibits are the artifacts of the Goddess with snakes, the Ax from Arkalohori, the frescoes of the Game with the Bull and the Prince with Lilies, but the pride of the Museum is the famous Phaistos disc. Dating back to the Middle Bronze Age, the artifact remains a mystery to scientists: the purpose of the disk is not clear, and the inscription on it has not yet been deciphered.

The Archaeological Museum is located at Xanthoudidou, 2.

Summer opening hours (April 15 to October 31): Mon-Sun: 08:00-20:00
From November 1 to April 14, the museum is open on a reduced schedule: Mon - 10:00-17:00. Tue-Sun and holidays: from 09:00 to 16:00

Price full ticket to the Museum - 10 euros. A subscription to the Museum and the Palace of Knossos is also available. Its price is 16 Euro.

The inscriptions on the Phaistos disc have not yet been deciphered.

As elsewhere in Greece, there are in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. In addition, the Museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of each month from November 1 to March 31.

#2 Samaria Gorge

Southwestern Crete is famous for its Samaria Gorge. The longest gorge in Europe, it attracts almost half a million tourists every year.

The path through the gorge is not close - 17 km, but the task is simplified by the fact that most of the route is a gradual descent down from the village of Omalos to Ayia Roumeli. The route starts at an altitude of 1250 m above sea level and ends at the sea.

Samaria is Greek national park, created to protect the numerous plants and animals found in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori).

But tourists are attracted not only by nature. The gorge was inhabited long before our Era. The ruins of ancient temples dedicated to Apollo and Artemis were discovered here, and at the end of the route - closer to the sea - back in the 6th century BC. existed ancient city Tarra.

The route in the gorge mainly goes down

During the years of Turkish occupation, Greek rebels hid in the gorge, and in the 20th century, it was through this gorge that the Greek government emigrated to Egypt after the capture of Crete by German paratroopers. Already after the war - in 1948 - they accepted here last Stand Cretan communists who fought against the official Greek authorities.

The tourist route through the gorge is very well equipped. There are kilometer signs, places for rest, toilets and water sources.

Among interesting places the village of Samaria, from which the inhabitants were resettled in 1962, several ancient churches and, of course, the Iron Gates of Sidiroportes - the narrowest point of the gorge, where its width narrows to three meters, and rocks rising 300 meters high serve as natural walls.

Today Samaria is one of National parks Greece

As already noted, a tourist route starts in the village of Omalos. Since the gorge is extremely popular with tourists in summer and the Cretan sun is merciless, it is better to come here the night before and spend the night in the village in order to go hiking immediately after opening.

The whole journey takes about 4-6 hours and ends with an exit to the village of Ayia Roumeli. From here you can walk to the pier, from which small boats make regular flights to Chora Sfakion and Sougia. From these two places, in turn, one can reach regular buses to Chania and further - to your hotel.

#1 Knossos Palace

The Palace of Knossos is the most famous and visited attraction of Crete. Having the most direct relation to the myths of King Minos, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, the Palace serves as a real magnet, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. It is located on the outskirts of modern Heraklion, and, being in the capital of the island, it is easy to find it by numerous signs.

Buildings here appeared as early as 7000 BC, but the first palace appeared only around 1900 BC. during the so-called "early palace period".

Later, the "first-born" was destroyed by an earthquake, and a new palace was erected in its place, the remains of which have survived to this day. New Complex experienced a flourishing period Minoan civilization and suffered greatly from the devastating tsunami caused by the Santorini volcanic eruption around 1628 BC.

Knossos palace. Throne room

It finally ceased to exist in the middle of the 15th century BC. after a big fire. It is noteworthy that other significant palaces of Crete were also destroyed around the same period. What was the reason for such a synchronous decline of all centers of civilization is still one of the mysteries of the island.

For centuries, Knossos remained the main center of the Minoan civilization and the headquarters of the legendary king Minos.

The dimensions of the palace are amazing: consisting of more than 1,300 rooms, it could simultaneously accommodate up to 18,000 people. According to archaeologists, up to 100 thousand people could live in the Palace and the surrounding city at the peak of its heyday.

The skill and knowledge available to ancient architects are impressive: long before our era, Knossos not only built buildings with several floors, but also had its own sewer system.

After sunset ancient civilizations Knossos was gradually forgotten. It was discovered in 1878, and systematic excavations were started by the British archaeologist Arthur Evans only in 1900.

Although Evans had assumed that he was exploring an extremely important ancient city, the size of the Palace and the surrounding inhabited area greatly exceeded his initial expectations.

Under Evans, some parts of the Palace were restored as he imagined them, for which he was later reproached a lot. As a result, it is far from always obvious to modern tourists which part of the ruins is original and which was completed by Evans.

Attractions of Crete on the map

Photos by Tan Yilmaz, Marcel Germain, Benjamin, Andrew Smith, Christos Tsoumplekas, Dieter Wienelt, loonatic

22 km southwest of the city of Rethymno is the unique village of Argiroupoli, surrounded by greenery, rich in water and so beloved by tourists due to its springs and original taverns. But are these places known only for this? ..

Modern Argyroupoli was built on the site of the once flourishing ancient city of Lappa, which was one of the most important and significant cities in western Crete. The city maintained its independence until 68 . BC, until it was destroyed by the troops of Quintus Caecilius Metellus. But already in 31 BC. Lappa is experiencing a renaissance, becoming an even stronger and more significant city, erecting new buildings , thermal baths, and even minted their own coin. But in 824 AD. after the destruction of the Arabs history glorious city The paw is interrupted...

Later, the city of Kalamotos was located here, and the modern name, Argyroupoli, appeared relatively recently, in 1822.

And in our time in Argiroupoli, literally every house, every stone breathes history. Fragments of buildings of later times built into modern houses, mosaic floors, a Venetian portal that blends harmoniously into a modern street, the remains of the ancient city of Lappa ...

Excavations carried out in this area made it possible to discover sites of the ancient city of Lappa , dating from the Geometric Age to the Roman Age. In addition, important finds were made here, including a bronze statuette and marble statues.

And to the northeast of Argyroupoli, a necropolis of the Roman period was discovered.

Nearby is the Church of the Five Holy Virgins. Here in the year 250 . e. Mary, Athena, Martha, Thekla and Marianna were martyred.

Going down a little lower, you can find a gigantic plane tree, whose age is about 2000 years!

And, of course, it is impossible to ignore the famous springs of Argiroupoli. The place is truly amazing. Around sprawling plane trees , fruit trees. Everywhere you can hear the murmur of streams, the sound of waterfalls and water escaping from leaky Roman aqueducts.

And, as if built into all this splendor, taverns that surprise with their originality. Here you can taste lamb ribs, grilled sturgeon or trout, enjoy the freshness of watermelon chilled in the cool water of the springs.

By the way, in some taverns they offer to catch fish on their own. , which the chef will then prepare.

In conclusion, I would like to note that there is absolutely Amazing places, about which one can talk endlessly. Perhaps Argiroupoli is one of them. Because it is unique and unique place still ready to tell us great story those places, surprise with stunning nature and beautiful landscapes ...

Argiroupoli coordinates (Argiroupoli, Αργυρούπολη): DD 35.286750, 24.332361. DMS 35°17"12.3"N, 24°19"56.5"E