Martin M. Miles' photos

The archaeological site of the Minoan villa of Achladia is located in the mountains south of Sitia. The building remains date from 1900–1700 BC. A tholos tomb from the same period is located nearby.

The archaeological site of the Minoan villa of Achladia is located in the mountains south of Sitia. The building remains date from 1900–1700 BC. A tholos tomb from the same period is located nearby.

The archaeological site of the Minoan villa of Achladia is located in the mountains south of Sitia. The building remains date from 1900–1700 BC. A tholos tomb from the same period is located nearby.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. A very enigmatic, composite statue of a male figure in hippopotamus ivory, with serpentine head, eyes of rock chrystal. Internal dowels of wood. The base was probably of wood, coloured with Egyptian blue and scattered gold spangles. Sorry for tor bad photos.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Such Minoan bull heads are being excavated throughout Crete. The infamous Minotaur also had such a head.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Not much is known about religion in Minoan times, but the double axes and these "horns" were important symbols.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Some of the pithoi are adorned. This one has a row of griffons.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Pithoi, large storage vessels

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. A Minoan tomb, decorated with the octopus pattern.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Minoan tombs

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Minoan tombs

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Two large funerary vessels from burial caves.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Two birdshaped grave goods from the necropolis of Krya dated to the 8th century BC, the late Geometric Period. The Geometric Period on Crete spanned roughly from the 10th century to the 8th century BC. This phase is characterized by the development of a specific art style characterized by geometric patterns in pottery and other art forms.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. The pyrix was found (shuttered in many pieces) on the necropolis of Itanos. It is dated to the 8th century BC, the late Geometric Period. The Geometric Period on Crete spanned roughly from the 10th century to the 8th century BC. This phase is characterized by the development of a specific art style characterized by geometric patterns in pottery and other art forms.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by Turkish pirates in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Archaeological Museum features finds from the wider area, dating back to the period between 3500 BC and 500 AD. Figurine of Cybele, 5th century BC The goddess is seated on a throne, wearing a chiton and a Phrygian cap.

Settlement in the city area dates back to the pre-Minoan period. Architectural remains have been found from the end of the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. The city flourished during the Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods as one of the island's most important ports. During Venetian times, the city was destroyed three times: first by an earthquake in 1508, then by the Turkish pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa in 1538, and finally by the Venetians themselves in 1651. This last destruction occurred during the Cretan War. Lacking the resources to withstand a prolonged siege by the Turks, the Venetians destroyed the fortifications and relocated the garrison to Heraklion. The inhabitants migrated west, and the town remained deserted for the next 200 years of Turkish rule. The city was rebuilt after the Cretan Revolt until 1870. Today it has almost 20,000 inhabitants. An evening stroll along the harbor

About 5 km from Sitia lies a Minoan necropolis with a total of 252 graves. A residential complex was excavated not far from the burial ground. In contrast to the necropolis, it dates from a later period, namely around 2000 BC. The building has 37 rooms opening onto a central courtyard. It was originally surrounded by a fortification wall. It can already be interpreted as a prototype of a Minoan palace. The site was abandoned, and circular structures were built over the ruins. These structures may have been tholos tombs. Many of the grave goods here date from the Cycladic period and could indicate that Hagia Photia was a Cycladic colony.