Main occupation c. 1700–1450 BC
Gournia: Everyday Life in a Minoan Town
Gournia in eastern Crete is one of the best-preserved Minoan towns. Its dense network of streets, houses, workshops and central buildings provides…
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Lasithi
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Fortress 1579; leper colony 1904–1957
Spinalonga: Venetian Fortress and Leper Colony
The islet of Spinalonga, in the bay of Elounda, was fortified by Venice in the late 16th century and later became a…
Read story →20 May–1 June 1941
The Battle of Crete
German airborne and mountain forces invaded Crete in May 1941. Fighting centred on the airfields and towns of Maleme, Chania, Rethymno and…
Read story →Major revolts 1866–1869 and 1895–1898; autonomy from 1898
The Cretan Revolt and Autonomy
Cretan Christians repeatedly revolted during the nineteenth century, demanding reform or union with Greece. The crisis of 1897–1898 ended with the withdrawal…
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Zakros: The Minoan Palace by the Sea
The palace of Zakros stood near a sheltered bay on the east coast of Crete. Its position and finds reveal strong maritime…
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