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Eleutherna Back to Travel Guide

Ancient Eleutherna, which is located 30 km southeast of Rethymno City, is one of the most ancient cities in Crete and the most important archeological site in Rethymno Prefecture. The city was founded by the Dorians in the 9th century B.C. and remained inhabited until the byzantine years. Its importance in the ancient years resided in its strategic location, i.e. the point where the road from the city of Knossos, the road from the ancient city of Kydonia (in the other side of Crete – Chania) and the road from the holy Idi Mountain (Psiloritis) met.

Until today precious findings and valuable answers are coming from the excavations in this area. The findings so far have been retrieved from three different spots on the same hill.

Eleutherna was one of the cities where took the side of Macedonian King Filippos II during the First Cretan War (205 B.C. – 200 B.C.) against Knossos. Later on, it fell in the hands of the Roman Empire after strong resistance. However, it never stopped growing. During the roman years, city baths, cisterns, palaces, public buildings and a tower were built. After its destruction by the Arabs, the Big Vassiliki was built, the ruins of which are saved until today.

Recently (2010) a double grave of a young couple was discovered in Eleftherna. The couple was covered with a cerecloth consisting of 3.000 gold leaves! The grave is aged 2.700 years. In the same grave a jewel of a bee-goddess was found too.

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