Culture creates history

The legendary massif of Crete, Psiloritis, is visible from many areas of the island, and provides material, religious, and cultural insight into the land around and beneath it. Its most dominant peak reaches a heavenly height of over 8,000 feet, proving the range to be fit for a god. On this mountain lies a cave, Idaion Andro, in which, according to some legends, the god Zeus was raised as a child. Here, adventurers who dare to traverse the steep terrain are rewarded with spectacular views across the childhood home of the god of the sky.

On the trail leading from Agios Ioannis to the Koudoumas monastery in the Asterousia Range we find a stunning cave, with a triangular shaped mouth in which there is the small church of Agios Antonios. This isolated location was the centre of worship for the surrounding communities, and possibly serving as a hermitage for monks, with an inscription revealing that Hermes Kraneos (the god Hermes, protector of shepherds, forests and the fertility of nature) may have worshipped here.

Agia Sofia (Holy Wisdom) is an ancient monastery situated on the plateau of Armenochantrades in Sitia Geopark. Within the walls of the monastery stands the church of Agia Sofia. While it may not stand as grand as it did in centuries ago, it was once a salient religious hub for worshippers in Eastern Crete.

Mitata, despite serving the pragmatic purpose of cheese-making, are artfully constructed. Ancient, elegant engineering created a dome-shaped structure, built solely of stones with no mortar. It was the optimal solution in the bare, rocky mountains of Crete, with climate conditions making this a productive setting for pastoral farming. These traditional shepherd huts have structural integrity that has allowed them to stand the test time. In fact, even today Cretan shepherds use the Mitata to stay close to their flocks during the summer, brave bad weather as well as using them as creameries.

Located in scenic undulating hills of the Rethymnon area, the village is well known for its pottery. With fewer than 500 inhabitants, becoming connected to the town’s culture feels easy, natural, and intimate. Arriving at Margarites, visitors have the opportunity to take a stroll through the bright landscape and be swallowed by winding streets and extraordinary architecture.

The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village, with some techniques possibly dating as far back as the neolithic period. The remnants of stone-built workshops and pottery kilns that once produced several household items can still be visited today.
Craftsmen showcase their ceramic techniques and visitors can watch how they mould clay into a variety of utilitarian and decorative objects.

Cretan music, or Kritiki music, can be best described as a fusion of artist and instrument. Instruments such as the bulgari, Cretan lyre, mandolin, and Cretan laouto give Cretan music its character and voice. Early versions of some of these instruments, such as the lyre, date back to antiquity. The early lyres were made from tortoiseshell and animal hide. Visitors to Crete can learn more about the region’s rich musical traditions at the Thirathen Museum of Musical Instruments located in Krousonas.

Cretan yoghurt is touted as some of the best in the world among yoghurt aficionados. Like the more familiar Greek yoghurt we’re used to seeing on our supermarket shelves, Cretan yogurt is also rich in protein and probiotics, and it has immune system benefits. Local artisans ferment the yoghurt and package it in terracotta pots ready for consumption. It’s a staple in the Cretan diet and is used in salads, marinades and the famous tzatziki. It’s a culinary tradition visitors can savour.

Crete has witnessed many conquests and changes in rule over the centuries, with each era leaving indelible imprints on the island’s culture. One of those skills is the art of leatherwork which gave birth to Crete’s beloved traditional boot, or the “stivania.” The word “stivania” is thought to derive from the Italian word “Stivale”—a legacy of the Venetian era (1204 AD to 1669 AD). The art of making this celebrated footwear has since become embedded in Cretan tradition. To this day they are crafted, sold and worn with pride. Stivania are custom made through an appointment with a shoemaker.

The Greek relationship with thread and weaving is a layered one. It is an ancient art, popularised by Greeks myths and legends. From Penelope toiling at her loom as she awaited the return of her husband Odysseus, to Ariadne laying a thread on the floor to assist Theseus’ escape from the Labyrinth—weaving is etched into the fabric of Greek history. The art of weaving has been reinvigorated and today looms are employed by a new generation keen to connect with traditional practices.

Chania Old Town is steeped in history, a history peppered with battles, sieges and changes of rulership. Excavations revealed the Old Town was built upon the site of ancient Kydonia, a city of Minoan Crete, whilst the architectural remains belong to buildings from the Mycenaean period. Centuries later, during Venetian rule between 1204 and 1669, a series of “Neoria” (arsenals) were constructed at the harbor. This is where the ships were repaired during the winter months. Today, some of the Neoria have been preserved and one “The Grand Arsenal” today serves as the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture.

Sitia City, a port town and municipality in Lasithi, is a well-known gem in Crete. It’s not a tourist site that happens to have people living in it. It’s a residential area that happens to have tourists visiting it. Visitors speak of the hospitality of its locals, famous for their warm-heartedness. Sitia stands out for its clean beaches with golden sands, with one of its resorts receiving the coveted “Blue Flag” award several years in a row. Holidays here offer peace and quiet, to be enjoyed by families, young people, and couples alike.

Discover world of adventure that lies within Crete’s landscapes here. 

The island of Crete in Greece is the home of four UNESCO designated sites: the Gorge of Samaria Biosphere Reserve, the Psiloritis Global Geopark, the Asterousia Mountain Range Biosphere Reserve and the Sitia Global Geopark.