Aptera

The site is set on the hill of Palaicastro, at a distance of 15 km from the city of Chania. In the last years the archeological site has undergone systematic archeological research and the beautiful ancient theater with views to the Souda bay (in the north) and White Mountains (in the South) is scheduled to be restored.

The city is already mentioned in tablets of 14th -13th century b.C. and survives until the 7th century A.D where it is destroyed by a powerful earthquake combined by the attacks of the Saracen pirates. Later, during the second byzantine period, the entire city area is donated to Patmos Monastery and a succursal is constructed which was operational until 1960. Finally, during the Cretan Revolution in 1866-69 the Ottoman rulers have built a castle.

The most important findings of Aptera, can be viewed in the Archeological Museum of Chania. Among them is a marble statue of the Goddess Hygeia and a portrait in marble of a couple from a funeral monument.

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