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Ierapetra Town
Ierapetra Port View |
Welcome to Ierapetra!
Welcome to the "bride of the Libyan Sea," the southernmost city in Europe and one of the oldest towns on Crete; ancient Hierapytna, Pytna or Kamiros, was located to the west of the modern town, in a suburb now called Viglia or Poles. It was a very rich city; public art treasures were so abundant and impressive that, during the 13th to 16th centuries, they were systematically taken away by the Venetians and, later by the Ottoman rulers, so as to ornate and glorify Italy and Constantinople.
Now, there is nothing left to be seen of the houses, theaters, public buildings, cisterns and baths that once adorned the city, at least nothing has yet been found, despite laborious excavation works!
Most interesting for present day visitors is, of course, the old part of the town, Kato Mera. Wherever one goes through the narrow paved streets, one is carried away by the scent of flowers blooming in tiny house or church yards. The churches themselves are so numerous, and so well preserved, that they could become the main sightseeing object for visitors. Nevertheless, seldom do they manage to do so, having so much competition from cafes and small tavernas, not to mention the various other sites worth seeing, such as Napoleon’s House and the Mosque and the Ottoman Fountain. Worth mentioning is also a wide range of little shops of local handcrafts, fashion wear, leather, or silver and gold items, all at bargain prices... Continue
Ierapetra Napoleon's House |
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Ierapetra "Kales" Venetian Fort at the Old Harbor |
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Ierapetra Port View at higher analysis |
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