Agia Pelagia
Agia Pelagia is a coastal community in the north, included in the Heraklion prefecture, regarded as one of the biggest resorts of Crete. Its name derives from the monastery of Agia Pelagia (a very small part of which survives today) located on the west side of the bay.
On the northern part of the bay the icon of Agia Pelagia (hence the name) was found. Many archaeological excavations were carried out in 1970 brought to light traces of an ancient Doric city probably “Panormos”.
Agia Pelagia is built amphitheatrically in a small bay protected from the meltemi winds with a gorgeous view from the top,offering many choices to stay because of a wide variety of hotels available. The slopes of Agia Pelagia are of special interest as they are formed by successive layers of rock embedded with quantities of petrified wood evidencing the climatic changes coupled with the destruction of forests that the island was subject to.
Agia Pelagia is also ideal for those who want to enhance their stay by taking excursions to nearby spots like Knossos, a short distance away, 25Km, the place where the painter Dominicus Theotokopoulos (El Greco) -born in Fodele is 10Km away and Melidoni with its fascinating caves.
Agia Pelagia is a coastal community in the north, included in the Heraklion prefecture, regarded as one of the biggest resorts of Crete. Its name derives from the monastery of Agia Pelagia (a very small part of which survives today) located on the west side of the bay.
On the northern part of the bay the icon of Agia Pelagia (hence the name) was found. Many archaeological excavations were carried out in 1970 brought to light traces of an ancient Doric city probably “Panormos”.
Agia Pelagia is built amphitheatrically in a small bay protected from the meltemi winds with a gorgeous view from the top,offering many choices to stay because of a wide variety of hotels available. The slopes of Agia Pelagia are of special interest as they are formed by successive layers of rock embedded with quantities of petrified wood evidencing the climatic changes coupled with the destruction of forests that the island was subject to.
Agia Pelagia is also ideal for those who want to enhance their stay by taking excursions to nearby spots like Knossos, a short distance away, 25Km, the place where the painter Dominicus Theotokopoulos (El Greco) -born in Fodele is 10Km away and Melidoni with its fascinating caves.
