Sitia Crete
The E75 coastal road from Agios Nikolaos goes to the main town
of Eastern Crete,Sitia, 69 km to the east.
Shortly before Sitia is the settlement of Chamezi where
there is a prehistoric circular house. Siteia is a pretty
little harbour village that spreads around the bay of Siteia.
This town is not a major tourist place although it has a
busy atmosphere and a very nice uncrowded, sandy beach that
is 1km long that is provided with showers for bathers.
Its history is long, built on the site of ancient Eteia by
the Venetians and after its destruction rebuilt by the
Turks. On the eastern side of the town are the remains of a
Venetian fort, an early Minoan cemetery with rock-cut graves
and chamber tombs, and one of the most important and richest
monasteries in Crete, the Panayia Akrotiriani (or Toplou)
which has extremely well preserved 14th Century wall
paintings.
The town of Sitia is located at a distance of
approximately 69km east of Agios Nikolaos and its population
numbers around 8,500 inhabitants. Archaeologists believe
that the current town stands on the site of ancient Itia,
the port of Presos and the birthplace of the 'wise Myson'.
Excavations have established that it was a flourishing city
during the Minoan Period. The town as it stands today was
developed in 1870 according to the architectural design of
the Turk, Avgi Pasha. Previous to this it had been deserted
for around 200 years. The town has some remnants that
portray its history.
Parts of a Venetian fortified wall still exist as does the
castle of Kazarma. These constructions were partly destroyed
in earthquakes that occurred in 1303 and 1508. Destruction
also took place when the town was attacked in 1538 by the
infamous pirate, Barbarossa. On a more positive note, Sitia
is the birthplace of the famous poet, Vintsezos Kornaros,
who wrote 'Erotokritos'. Interesting places to visit are the
Archaeological Museum and the Laographic Museum both of
which have interesting artefacts and information about the
day-to-day life and traditions of the area. Around 15km away
from Sitia are the ruins of the ancient city of Presos.
To the south is the area of Hamezi where there is a
Mid-Minoan structure and close by are the Monasteries of
Faneromeni and Toplou. The latter monastery, the Monastery
of Toplou, is of great significance. It is one of the
richest monasteries on Crete and is dedicated to the birth
of the Virgin Mary and to St. John the Theologist.
Originally it was named Panagia Akrotiriani (Virgin Mary of
the Cape) due to its location close to the Sidero Cape. Its
current name is of Turkish origin because of its Venetian
cannon ('top' in Turkish). It was built in the 15th century
and is thought to be sited on the ruins of an earlier
convent. In 1530 it was plundered by the Knights of St. John
and then destroyed by a strong earthquake in 1612. After
this, it was repaired and renovated before falling into the
hands of the Turks during the Ottoman Empire.
The construction is dominated by a tall, Italian style bell
tower, thought to date from around 1558 and surround by a 10
metre high wall. Inscribed on the wall is a peace treaty
between the cities of Itanos and Ierapitnos which dates from
the 2nd century BC. Inside there are many exquisite icons
and frescoes, some of which date from the 14th century.
Amongst these is the 1770 painting by Ioannis Kornaros,
'Great Art Thou, O Lord' and an icon of Our Lady which,
according to legend, was found in a nearby cave.
As with most of the monasteries on Crete it has a close
association with the island's history in throwing off the
yoke of oppression and occupation. During the Turkish
occupation, it provided refuge to the persecuted Cretans and
was the location of a 'secret school' which, on discovery by
the Turks, led to the massacre of twelve monks in 1866.
During the German occupation in World War Two, the monastery
was used as the headquarters for the National Resistance
movement of the area. There is a big festival and
celebration every year on 26th September at the monastery
when pilgrims from all over Crete come to pay homage.
