Axos Crete
Axos is a village in the province of Mylopotamos on the northern
slopes of Mt. Psiloritis with a population of around 727
inhabitants. It is located on the road from Rethymno to Anogeia
at a distance of around 44km from Rethymno. The name of the
village comes from the original ancient city of Axos which was
built close to the present day village. Ancient Axos was one of
the most well fortified city states in western Crete during the
Classic Period. The port of ancient Axos was Astale, which was
built on the north coast where Bali exists today.
According to mythology, the founder of the city was the
legendary hero, Oaxos, who was the grandson of Minoas and
Passiphae.
Indeed, archaeological findings have shown that Axos has a long
history. One theory is that Axos was established in the
Mesoanactoric Period by the old inhabitants of Crete who were
forced to take refuge in the mountains when the Dorians invaded
Crete. Another theory is that it was founded in the Geometrical
Period. Regardless which theory is correct, it was an
independent, powerful and rich city which owned the whole area
of Epano Oaxos. The city continued to be inhabited during Roman
Times, whilst in the Byzantine Period its development further
flourished as evidenced by the 46 Byzantine churches that were
built, of which 9 still remain.
Its demise came about probably during the first years of the
Venetian occupation when many of its inhabitants took refuge in
the eastern area of the Psiloritis Mountain, where they built
the city of Anogeia.
Places of interest to see in and around Axos include the site of
the ancient city; Minoan slabs of clay which the ancient
inhabitants used to mark during voting; the ruins of Cyclopean
walls; the Byzantine church of Agia Irini which was built in the
first years of the Venetian occupation. Visit also the museum of wooden sculptures of Axos
