DK Travel : Crete : History & Culture

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Kamares

This cave on Mount Idi’s southern face lends its name to the sophisticated Minoan pottery discovered here.
Kazantzakis Museum

Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) is best known outside Greece for the novel Alexis Zorbas , which is set in Crete during the early 20th century. The book was filmed in 1964 as Zorba the Greek , starring Anthony Quinn in the title role. Kazantzakis’ outspoken humanism led the Orthodox church to regard him as a heretic. The author was born in Mirtia, and a small museum in the village (in the Kazantzakis family home) is crammed with his manuscripts and diaries, film posters, photos and other memorabilia.
King Minos

Minos, King of Crete and both patron and tormentor of the ingenious Daedalos, appears in the Greek myths as a tyrant. In fact, the legendary Minos is probably a composite of many Minoan kings, whose power and wealth were remembered long after their civilization fell.
Kingdom of the Hellenes

Crete was united with Greece in 1913. In 1923, 30,000 Muslim Cretans were expelled from Crete.
Knosos

Just outside Irakleio, Knosos is by far the most striking of the ancient Minoan palace ruins on Crete. Dating back more than 3,500 years, it was destroyed, probably by a volcanic eruption, around 1450 BC and not rediscovered until the late 19th century (see Ancient Knosos).
Lasithi

The so-called “Plain of Windmills” is a high plain of fertile farmland surrounded by bare grey limestone hills. Its nickname is misleading, though. Only a few rusting metal derricks remain of the famed white-sailed windmills that once dotted the plateau in their hundreds. However, Lasithi is still worth a visit for the spectacular drive through the mountains and the glimpses it offers of a traditional way of life.
Levin

Ancient Levin, on a hilltop just outside the modern village of Lendas, is now no more than a scattering of ruined walls and pillars around a stone arch. The site was a sanctuary dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing. From the 3rd century BC to the Christian era it was an important place of pilgrimage.
Lord,Thou Art Great by Ioannis Kornaros

This is one of Crete’s most dazzling and famous icons; it resides at Moni Toplou (see Moni Toplou).
Malia

East of the busy summer holiday resort of Malia is an archaeological site of the same name. The Minoan double-axe symbol, or labrys , is carved into two pillars of a small shrine. Excavations are still going on near the palace site.
Market

Leave Plateia Kornarou north of the fountain, along the market street Odos 1866, among stalls selling fresh fruit, olives, dried fruit and nuts, and less familiar produce such as buckets of live snails. Midway along 1866, turn left and walk along to Plateia Ekaterinis, where the main landmark is the pompous 19thcentury cathedral.