AGHIOS NIKOLAOS - SITEIA

Aghios Nikolaos - Mardati - Istro -
Gournia - Pacheia Ammos - Kavousi -
Lastros - Sfaka - Mochlos - Myrsini -
Mouliana - Hamezi - Siteia.

From the lovely capital of the Lasithi
prefecture we carry on southwards
towards Mardati, Istro and Gournia (18
kms. southeast of Aghios Nikolaos).

Visit of Gournia

An entire Minoan settlement was dis-
covered on this important archaeologi-
cal site: houses, streets, and a large
structure on the top of the hill, which
was probably the residence of the over-
lord of the region. The acme of the city's
development has been dated to 1600-
1400 BC approximately, and its decline
coincides with its destruction, perhaps
by fire, around 1200 BC.

To the north of the small palace, a sanctuary, containing many objects of worship, was uncovered. A great number of household vessels and tools were also brought to light. The stepped, stone-paved streets of the settlement, the foundations of houses and, on the hill, remains of the small palace, are still to be seen today.

Continuing eastwards, on the Aghios
Nikolaos - Siteia road, we pass through the pretty village of Pacheia Ammos (21 kms. from Aghios Nikolaos), nestled deep in Mirabello bay, with a magnificent beach and crystalclear waters. This is the narrowest point of the island.

From the 22nd kilometre, to the right, a
road leads to lerapetra (14 km.). The
main road continues towards the
northeast, climbing upwards. We pass
through the village of Kavousi (26
kms.), beyond which is the site called
Platanos (31.5 kms.), from which we
can enjoy a panoramic view. At the
33rd km., we come to the first detour for
Mochlos then to the village of Lastros
(36 kms.) - with its Byzantine church
dedicated to Saint George — and finally
to Sfaka (40 kms.), where there is a se-
cond detour for Mochlos.

Mochlos is a little fishing village, with
an islet opposite, which was believed to
have been linked to the mainland in Mi-
noan times. In the western part of the
islet, many mass chamber tombs were
discovered, which yielded rich finds,
mainly gold jewellery and very beauti-
ful pottery (Archaeological Museums of
Herakleion and of Aghios Nikolaos).

On another islet, called Pseira, on the
eastern end of Mirabello bay, a Minoan
settlement was found Wall-paintings in relief adorned the wall of one of the houses of the settlement (Archaeological Museum of Herakleion).

We continue eastwards on the main
road, passing through picturesque villages: Myrsini (third detour for Mochlos), Mesa Mouliana, Exo Mouliana.
At the 57.5 km. to the right a detour
leads, one kilometre later, to the Minoan House of Hamezi, a pre-historic fortress-like circular building or, according to others, a peak sanctuary.

At Hamezi, 59 kilometres from Aghios Nikolaos, it is worth visiting the folk art
museum, which has noteworthy exhibits, among which a rare kind of loom and its accessories.

At the end of our journey we arrive at
Siteia (69 kms. from Aghios Nikolaos),
a picturesque harbour, built amphi-
theatrically on the western side of the
bay of Siteia, on the site of ancient Eteia.

East of Siteia stood the Venetian fortress, of which only a few ruins still survive today.
The modern town was built after 1870
while, during the two previous centuries, it had remained uninhabited.
In the Siteia Archaeological Museum
(tel. no. 0843/23.917), is exhibited an important collection of pottery from
Aghia Fotia and Mochlos, Pseira, Palai-
kastro and Zacros. Among the exhibits
there are also clay tablets inscribed in
Linear A from the palace at Zacros and
a grape-pressing machine - unique in
its kind - with authentic accessories,
from the same palace. The Greco-Roman collection consisting of pots and oil-lamps is also important. The Folk Art Museum of the town houses many exhibits, mainly hand-woven articles, embroidery, folk costumes, traditional furniture, household utensils, a loom, etc.

Not far from the town, to the north, is
the airport. There are direct flights to
Athens and to the island of Karpathos.