22Mar
Fun Facts about Crete
Photo by Evangelos Mpikakis on Unsplash
Let’s see how much you know about Crete
Crete is a massive island
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek Islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the 5th in the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and a coastline of 1,046 km (650mi).
Zeus Birthplace
Zeus is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion, who rules as king of the gods on mountain Olympus. According to the legend he was born in Psychro cave in lasithi Plateau.
Palm Tree Forest
The impressive palm tree forest in Vai Beach, Sitia, is the biggest and most important palm forest in Europe. There are 3 palm tree forests in Crete. Vai in Sitia, Preveli in south Rethymnon and Agios Nikitas on the southern coast of Heraklion.
Raki is the nectar of Crete
Raki, is not only a local product of Crete. It is the essence of genuine tradition, the identity of a culture that is fully connected to the daily life of a proud inhabitants of the island, expressing in the best way the Cretan hospitality.
Blue flags
The European Union awards its best beaches with the "Blue Flag" across 49 countries all over the world. The country of Greece is in second place on the list, and you'll be happy to know that Crete has 128 of those stunning beaches.
Healthy Air
The air in Crete is thought to have true healing powers. This fact was supported by the father of medicine, Hippocrates, who was convinced that the air on Crete could work miracles on anybody's health.
Clear Waters
The sea in Crete is truly transparent. The waters on the coast are so clear that it's possible to have a 40-metre deep view from above.
Cretan Poetry-Mantinada
Mantinada is usually performed with the music of the Cretan Lyra and Laouto. The name comes from the Venetian term mattinata, meaning morning song. They usually celebrate love, friendship and the island itself but they can also be sad and even sang at funerals.
Ancient as an Olive Tree
Olive trees have thrived on the island for centuries. Some of the two oldest olive trees in the world are still pretty much alive and it's possible to visit them. One is in the village of Vouves, in the Chania region, the other one is in Kavousi, in the region of Lasithi.
Oldest city in Europe
Knossos, now home to one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece, is considered to be the oldest city in Europe.
Crete wasn’t always Greek
Crete was not a Greek island until December 1913, when it united with the country. Crete underwent endless years of foreign occupation before becoming part of the Greek state.
Snow way
Snowing is quite common on the high mountains on the island. Winters can be pretty cold in the White Mountains (Chania Region), the Psiloritis (Rethymnon region), and the Dikti mountain (Lasithi).
Cretan music
Musical instruments originated on the island of Crete, the laouto and the Cretan Lyra. Popular instruments on the island include the mandolin and the unique askomandoura. The Cretan Lyra is the most popular surviving form of Medieval Byzantine instrument, and an ancestor of most European bowed musical instruments.
More islands
The region of Crete is one of the 13 different regions of Greece and there are several small islands off its Aegean and its Libyan coasts. Some of them are Chrissi, Paximadia, Gavdos, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, Souda, Theodorou, Spinalonga in the Sea of Crete.
Let’s see how much you know about Crete
Crete is a massive island
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek Islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the 5th in the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and a coastline of 1,046 km (650mi).
Zeus Birthplace
Zeus is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion, who rules as king of the gods on mountain Olympus. According to the legend he was born in Psychro cave in lasithi Plateau.
Palm Tree Forest
The impressive palm tree forest in Vai Beach, Sitia, is the biggest and most important palm forest in Europe. There are 3 palm tree forests in Crete. Vai in Sitia, Preveli in south Rethymnon and Agios Nikitas on the southern coast of Heraklion.
Raki is the nectar of Crete
Raki, is not only a local product of Crete. It is the essence of genuine tradition, the identity of a culture that is fully connected to the daily life of a proud inhabitants of the island, expressing in the best way the Cretan hospitality.
Blue flags
The European Union awards its best beaches with the "Blue Flag" across 49 countries all over the world. The country of Greece is in second place on the list, and you'll be happy to know that Crete has 128 of those stunning beaches.
Healthy Air
The air in Crete is thought to have true healing powers. This fact was supported by the father of medicine, Hippocrates, who was convinced that the air on Crete could work miracles on anybody's health.
Clear Waters
The sea in Crete is truly transparent. The waters on the coast are so clear that it's possible to have a 40-metre deep view from above.
Cretan Poetry-Mantinada
Mantinada is usually performed with the music of the Cretan Lyra and Laouto. The name comes from the Venetian term mattinata, meaning morning song. They usually celebrate love, friendship and the island itself but they can also be sad and even sang at funerals.
Ancient as an Olive Tree
Olive trees have thrived on the island for centuries. Some of the two oldest olive trees in the world are still pretty much alive and it's possible to visit them. One is in the village of Vouves, in the Chania region, the other one is in Kavousi, in the region of Lasithi.
Oldest city in Europe
Knossos, now home to one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece, is considered to be the oldest city in Europe.
Crete wasn’t always Greek
Crete was not a Greek island until December 1913, when it united with the country. Crete underwent endless years of foreign occupation before becoming part of the Greek state.
Snow way
Snowing is quite common on the high mountains on the island. Winters can be pretty cold in the White Mountains (Chania Region), the Psiloritis (Rethymnon region), and the Dikti mountain (Lasithi).
Cretan music
Musical instruments originated on the island of Crete, the laouto and the Cretan Lyra. Popular instruments on the island include the mandolin and the unique askomandoura. The Cretan Lyra is the most popular surviving form of Medieval Byzantine instrument, and an ancestor of most European bowed musical instruments.
More islands
The region of Crete is one of the 13 different regions of Greece and there are several small islands off its Aegean and its Libyan coasts. Some of them are Chrissi, Paximadia, Gavdos, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, Souda, Theodorou, Spinalonga in the Sea of Crete.