Crete from Space

Crete – Geography

Our favorite lyra can only be found on a single island. So we thought to give you an overview of lyra’s birthplace. Crete is the biggest and most populated island of Greece and the 5th biggest island in the Mediterranean with a strategic position being the crossroads of three continents, European, Asian and African.
It is sectioned in 4 municipalities, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio, and Lasithio. The capital is Heraklio. Each municipality is a host to a diverse nature and rich cultural scenery and tratidions.

The Palace of Knossos

The Dolphin’s wall

Cretan History

From the 3000 B.C. to 1400 B.C. the Minoan civilization was created on the island that is recognized as one of the most developed ones in the times. Remarkable is also the progress of the Cretan civilization during the Venetian occupation.

Cretan Personalities

D. Theotokopoulos aka “El Greco”

V. Kornaros

Famous people of the times include El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos) and Vintzentzos Kornaros who wrote the masterpiece of Erotokritos. Dominikos is remembered chiefly for his elongated, tortured figures, often religious in nature, the style of which baffled his contemporaries but helped establish his reputation in the years to come. Erotokritos is a romance that consists of 10012 verses. The central theme is a love story and around this revolve other subjects such as honor, friendship, bravery and courage. It is the classic example of Greek Renaissance literature and it is also one of the songs that you will learn on our website.

Crete in modern times

The gorge of Samaria

In modern times Crete is a world class tourist destination with a wide range of topographical changes that will satisfy all kinds of visitors. The fertile land places Crete at the forefront of the Mediterranean diet and is Cretan cuisine is being regarded as one of the healthiest.

Olives and Olive oil

Recent personalities from Crete include Nick Kazantzakis (Zorba), Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis, Nick Mamagakis, Nick Ksyloyris etc.

Academy award winner N. Hatzidakis

N. Kazantzakis – Author of Zorba