A little about Agia Pelagia

The picturesque settlement of Agia Pelagia lies on the northern coast of Crete, 20 km west of Heraklion on the national road to Chania. The region is full of natural beauty and due to its geographic position it played an important role throughout history. Sculptures discovered in Agia Pelagia. It has been inhabited since around 2000 BC as most of the findings date back to 1700 BC and 1300 BC when the inhabitants had dealΒ­ings with Faistos, Knossos and the Cyclades. The ancient town was destroyed by fire in 1200 BC. Sir Arthur Evans mentioned that they were the best salvaged remains of a Minoan harbor. Many of the ceramics collected there are now found in the museum of Ashmolen in Oxford. The most notable remains found in the wide area are: large water containers (for the supply ships), the Roman aqua duct, engraved tombs etc. Subsequent excavations were begun in 1971 by St. Alexiou and the area is considered to be the ancient town ofApollonia, an important town during the Hellenistic period (350 BC) . The "Pritanio" government building - the city parliament and university, a special construction decorated with red and yellow bands of colour and with white flooring, the guest house - the hoΒ­tel of the epoch, towers and fortifications are only some of the many ancient ruins which have been partially retrieved lying covered by vegetation. Other findings are: ceramics, copper coins of various cities (Gortina, Axos. Arkadias, coins from Apollonia (carrying the head of ApolloΒ  and a palm branch), urns, wine vessels and olive cultivation tools from previous times. The area is considered to be the orgin of semi-precious stones used to make object which today embellish the Heraklion museum. The town of Apollonia was definitively destroyed in 171 BC after the fierce attack by their ally of other times, the city of Kidonia. It seems that the name Agia Pelagia (in Greek this means Saint of the oceans) was used in Christian times. The celebration of the sacred temΒ­ple of Agia Pelagia (13th century AD - 1km west of the beach) was an official holiday in the old times. The second little church in Agia Pelagia is located at the edge of the beach and is named "Evresi" (Finding) where the homonymous image was found and remains. Adoration of the image was a popular destination from all over Crete and the islands of the Aegean during the 19th century with thousands of pilgrims. The image was carried around the whole beach and the celebration ended with festivities and gymnastic competitions. In 1650 a large fortress was built in the harbor of Agia Pelagia by the "Tsanak" Ottomans to assist with the siege of Handakas (Heraklion) which has not been recovered to date. How- played an important role as it was the biggest supplies harbour, and recorded many attacks by F. Morosini''s Venetians, all culminating in the naval battle of 1688 when the Turkish fleet was defeated. During the Greek resistance in the 19th century, it was an important harbour where supplies and volunteers from all over Greece came on shore. Many naval batΒ­tlesΒ  haveΒ  been recorded. Today Agia Pelagia is a rapidly developing tourist settlement. It is gifted with beautiful bays and creeks such as Ligaria, Kladisos, Mononaftis and others. Rich in flora and protected from the summer south winds, the Meltemia, and with extremely hospitable residents it is the ideal place for vacation. In the wider region there are big and luxurious hotels as well as small and pretty family enterprises providing all comforts. The sun, the clean beaches, the calm sea, along with the picturesque seaside taverns, the bars and the variety of shops that offer high quality products, provide the conditions for unforgettable holidays.