The site that is now occupied by Rethymno was inhabited since the Late Minoan or Postpalatial times, as demonstrated by the finding in 1947 of a Late Minoan burial in the suburb of Mastaba to the south of the town. The autonomous and independent city of Rithymna later grew up on the same site in [...]

The history of Herakleio is reflected in the way its name changed through the ages. According to Strabo, it stands on the site of what was in antiquity one of the ports of Knossos, known as Herakleia. The settlement retained this name in roman times. Later, in the Byzantine period, it was known as ‘Castro’, [...]

Chania stands on the site of the ancient city of Cydonia: archeological excavations on Kastelli hill has brought to light a Minoan settlement with a building of the megaron type. Tombs of the Minoan or Late Minoan period have been found all over the town. Ancient Cydonia flourished throughout the Roman period. Under the Arabs [...]