DK Travel : Crete : History & Culture

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Great Powers Intervene

Several risings in the last decades of the 19th century culminate in the landing of Greek troops in 1897 and international intervention.
Hercules and the Bull of Crete

The demigod Hercules, son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alkmene, was set 12 tasks by King Eurystheus of Argos, one of which was to capture and tame the untameable bull of Crete.
Historical Museum

Returning to 25 Augoustou, turn left onto Theotokopoulou, then left onto Gazi, which leads to the Historical Museum of Crete. The basement contains some interesting Venetian stonework, Turkish and Byzantine remnants and the only El Greco painting left in Crete.
Idaian Cave

This enormous cavern on the slopes of Mount Idi was Zeus’s childhood hideout.
Ilithia

Archaic stone figures of pregnant women have been found in this cave, birthplace of the goddess Ilithia.
Inatos

The goddess Ilithia, daughter of Zeus and Hera, was worshipped in this grotto, which delves into the sea-cliff above Tsoutsouros.
International Protectorate

France, Italy, Britain and Russia administered the island from 1897 to 1913.
Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Ioannis Daskalogiannis (died 1770) raised the clans of the mountainous and inaccessible Sfakia region in the first major rebellion against Turkey in 1770. The uprising failed, and when Daskalogiannis attempted to negotiate a surrender at Frangokastello he was seized, tortured and skinned alive – a not uncommon penalty for rebels against the sultan.
Irakleio

The modern capital of Crete was badly damaged in World War II, and few of its old Venetian buildings survived the reconstruction of the city. However, its Venetian fortress, harbour, arsenal and city walls are still impressive. For a morning’s itinerary see pages 82–3. The city’s main attraction is the Irakleio Archaeological Museum (see Irakleio).

Café, Irakleio market
Itanos

The remains of a Hellenistic wall, foundations of two early Christian basilicas, and toppled walls and columns are the only indications that this was once an important city. It flourished until early medieval times, when it was destroyed by Saracen raiders.