Crete (2024)

The patron god of Crete was Zeus. In some accounts, he was born on the mountain there.

Crete, is a world (city) featured in Greek Mythology. It first appears around the time it was built.

Crete is based on the location of the same name from Greek Mythology, and the real life city.

Contents

  • 1 History
  • 2 Trivia
  • 3 Appearances
  • 4 References

History[]

Crete is an island in Greece. It was originally ruled by Zeus, but now is official property of the Greek Government.It is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete, one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.

Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the centre of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.Crete has a rich mythology mostly connected with the ancient Greek Gods but also connected with the Minoan civilization.

According to Greek Mythology, The Psychro cave at Mount Dikti was the birthplace of the god Zeus. The Paximadia islands were the birthplace of the goddess Artemis and the god Apollo. Their mother, the goddess Leto, was worshipped at Phaistos. The goddess Athena bathed in Lake Voulismeni. The ancient Greek god Zeus launched a lightning bolt at a giant lizard that was threatening Crete. The lizard immediately turned to stone and became the island of Dia. The island can be seen from Knossos and it has the shape of a giant lizard.

The islets of Lefkai were the result of a musical contest between the Sirens and the Muses. The Muses were so anguished to have lost that they plucked the feathers from the wings of their rivals; the Sirens turned white and fell into the sea at Aptera ("featherless") where they formed the islands in the bay that were called Lefkai (the islands of Souda and Leon). Hercules, in one of his labors, took the Cretan bull to the Peloponnese. Europa and Zeus made love at Gortys and conceived the kings of Crete, Rhadamanthys, Sarpedon, and Minos.

The labyrinth of the Palace of Knossos was the setting for the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur in which the Minotaur was slain by Theseus. Icarus and Daedalus were captives of King Minos and crafted wings to escape. After his death King Minos became a judge of the dead in Hades, while Rhadamanthys became the ruler of the Elysian fields.

Trivia[]

  • On-Screen Notes

On-Screen Notes[]

  • Crete is the largest island in Greece.

Appearances[]

Greek Mythology Appearances
"Disney's Hercules":"Clash of the Titans (2010)":"Wrath of the Titans":"Once Upon a Time":"Hercules 2014":"Immortals":"Myths":
AbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsent
"Rain of the Furies":"Clash of the Titans (1981)":"For the Love of Zeus":"PJO & the Lightning Thief":"PJO & the Sea of Monsters":"Strange Case":"More in Heaven and Hell":"Alternate Realities":
AbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentTBATBAWill Appear

References[]

  1. He proceeded to say that Crete will play a [huge] role in the final book.
Major Locations
Mount Olympus | Underworld | Athens | Rhodes
Mount Othrys | Crete | Delphi | Sparta | Thebes | Troy
Arcadia | Atlantis | Elysian Fields | Tartarus
Crete (2024)

FAQs

How many days in Crete is enough? ›

How long to spend on Crete. For a first-time visitor looking to experience a mix of Crete's history, culture and cuisine, nature, and beaches, 7 to 10 days is just about the perfect amount of time to spend here.

Is 7 days enough in Crete? ›

One Week in Crete Itinerary

You need at least 7 full days in Crete for this itinerary, plus two travel days. This one-week itinerary focuses on Western Crete which has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece, including Balos Bay and Elafonisi. It also has one of Europe's most famous gorges at Samaria Gorge.

What is so special about Crete? ›

The History and Culture

Crete has a rich history and culture that dates back thousands of years. The island was once home to the Minoan civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in Europe. You can explore ancient ruins and archaeological sites such as the Palace of Knossos and the Phaistos Disc.

Is it worth it to go to Crete? ›

And Crete in particular is perfect if you're into food and drink. Not only are there the usual joys of Greek cuisine, the thrill of eating your way from taverna to taverna, but there's also the chance to get involved, seeing some of Crete's amazing produce actually being made and learning about it firsthand.

Where to avoid in Crete? ›

Places to Avoid in Crete
  • Malia. ...
  • Hersonissos. ...
  • For travelers whose primary aim is to connect with the genuine spirit of Crete, away from the noisy clubs and throngs of tourists, it's essential to tread the less beaten path. ...
  • Elafonisi Beach. ...
  • Knossos. ...
  • Samaria Gorge. ...
  • Chania. ...
  • Rethymnon.
Sep 29, 2023

What is the best part of Crete to stay? ›

Where to Stay in Crete in 2024 – 14 Best Areas
  1. Chania, where to stay in Crete for first time. ...
  2. Rethymno, a beautiful town in Crete. ...
  3. Heraklion, the largest city and capital of Crete. ...
  4. Agios Nikolaos, a charming city of Crete. ...
  5. Sitia, best area to stay in Crete for windsurfing.
Mar 7, 2024

Is Crete or Santorini better? ›

Crete has better beaches but they're spread out and it takes a fair bit of effort to see the best beaches. Santorini is small and it's easy to get around to all the popular beaches. Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon.

How long does it take to drive from one end of Crete to the other? ›

Planning Your Visit to Crete

A lot of travelers to Greece combine a trip to some of the islands with a visit to Athens, but Crete is big enough that it could easily be made into a trip of its own (driving from one end to the other would take approximately 5 hours without stopping).

Can you get around Crete without a car? ›

Most people get around via car hire, which offers the freedom to do what you want and when you want. Public buses also connect travellers through and within all the major cities. There is no universal Crete travel card, but fares tend to be inexpensive within cities, while they cost more to travel between cities.

What is the best time to visit Crete? ›

The best time to visit Crete is between May and October

With its stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and warm Mediterranean climate, Crete is a popular holiday destination throughout the year. However, to make the most of your trip, the best time to visit is between May and October.

How much is the ferry from Crete to Santorini? ›

How much does the ferry cost from Crete (All Ports) to Santorini (Thera)? Ferry ticket prices range between 6.85 - 139.70 euros, depending on the ferry you choose to travel with.

Is Crete a cheap island? ›

in greece, crete is known to be cheap/better priced than many other places. i had 2 lots of (greek) friends go there a year or so ago. they both said it was very cheap/reasonably priced - compared to what they are used to.

Is Crete a party island? ›

Crete is home to some of the best clubs and bars anywhere in the Greek islands. Lots of them stay open until the early hours of the morning, so you can make the most of Crete's nightlife, even if it takes you until 11pm to get ready! The biggest party animals among you won't want to miss out on a trip to.

Can I put toilet paper in the toilet Crete? ›

Here's what I learned. You can't flush toilet paper in Greece because the sewage pipes are much narrower than elsewhere in the world (2 inches in diameter vs. 4 inches in the U.S.!), and toilet paper can cause them to clog.

Is it worth going to Crete for 3 days? ›

Three days gives you a good amount of time to explore one area of Crete. If it's your first trip I recommend exploring the Chania/Western Crete area. Keep reading for my three days in Crete itinerary. Chania has an airport that has several flights daily from Athens.

Is 4 nights enough in Crete? ›

Crete is Greece's largest island—just driving from one end to the other makes for a five-hour journey, and there's much to do and see in between. If you want to experience all Crete has to offer, plan to spend a full week exploring its monasteries, olive groves, towns, and coast.

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