Cultural heritage ,Greece

High School of Gazi, Heraklion, Greece

Meeting in Siegen 25-29 November 2019 Erasmus Ka2+ Debate Global Awareness 2018-1-DE03KA229-047392_3

The Gorge of Three Churches Located close to Heraklion, the gorge of three churches is the only canyon of Crete that is known with seven different names.

It is named “Almiros Gorge”, due to river Almiros that flows nearby.

It is also called “Keri’s Gorge’, Since there is a pine forest in the area named Keri.

Another name is “Strouboulas Gorge”, after the mountain, it is on.

It is mentioned also as “Ellinoperamata” or “Porofarago” or “Ghost’s Gorge” .

But the name “Gorge of three Churches” , because of the existence of three temples in it, is the most known.

The Gorge of Three Churches It is a natural oasis and remarkable ecosystem because of the great variety of trees, such as pines, plane and olive trees.

Equally significant is the presence of three waterfalls, which turn the place into a picturesque location, covered with pink gravel. It is easy to understand why the Gorge of three Churches attracts many visitors every year.

The Gorge of Three Churches

Waterfalls of Fodele The village Fodele is located 27Km west of Heraklion, close to our town.

It has many attractions such as the El Greco museum, Byzantine churches and a beautiful park at its center.

A worth-seeing sight is its waterfalls.

Streams merge with the main river and along the way, they form dozens of waterfalls in winter time, after intense rainfalls.

Waterfalls of Fodele The most easily accessible fall forms a 4 meter natural slide with a small pond at its base.

But the most outstanding fall is the one that exceeds 10 meters height. Combined with a pond covered by admirable and marvelous vegetation, is one of the most aesthetic areas in Heraklio.

Venetian Mansion in Rogdia The “Kallergis Mansion” in village Rogdia, is one of the most significant monuments of the venetian architecture and a unique specimen of a private residence.

Venetian Mansion in Rogdia 

It was built in the first half of 15th century for military purposes, as a defensive tower. It is a complex of buildings and in its original form had three floors. They served as storage areas and residences.

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It is still in good condition and available for cultural exhibitions.

Voulismeno Aloni (Fallen Threshing Floo Voulismeno Aloni is located 15 Km east of Heraklion.

It is a weird geological phenomenon, as it is a huge area in circular shape, which is created from the precipitation of a cave. The diameter of the area reaches 90 meters and the depth is between 15 to 50 meters.

The rocks there are ideal for climbing.

Voulismeno Aloni The name “ Voulismeno Aloni” means “Threshing Floor that has sunk”.

There is a myth about its creation.

A farmer used this place for agricultural work.

Once, on name -day of Prophet Elias, he went to the place in order to work, despite the fact that it was a holly day. The Prophet was angry by his sin and , as a punishment, destroyed the Threshing floor.

Saint Panteleimon The monastery of Saint Panteleimon is located in Fodele, a village near HofHeraklion, Heraklion, in a wooded area of orange and olive groves.

The monastery was built with fortress architecture.

Today, only a part of the walls and the beautiful entrance to the monastery are preserved. The exact date of establishment of the monastery is unknown.

Saint Panteleimon Some believe that it was founded in 1539, when the monks of the seaside monastery of St. Anthony were attacked by pirates and moved to the mainland. Indeed, the monastery, except Saint Panteleimon, is also dedicated to Saint Anthony. This monastery, as many others, played an important role in the struggle of the Cretans against the Turks.

Knossos Palace The Minoan palace is the main site of Knossos, an important city in antiquity, with continuous life from the Neolithic period to the 5th century. .

Knossos was the chair of the mythical King Minos and the main center of power in Crete.

Fascinating myths, of Labyrinth with Minotaur and Daedalus with Icarus, are related to the palace of Knossos.

Knossos Palace The first excavations were made in 1878 by Greek archaiologist Kalokerinos. This was followed by excavations carried out by the English Sir Arthur Evans (1900-1930), which revealed the entire palace.

Earlier traces of settlement in the palace date to the Neolithic period (7000-3000 BC). The settlement continues until1900 BC, at the end of which the space is leveled for the construction of a large palace. This first palace was destroyed, probably by an earthquake, around 1700 BC, and a magnificent palace is erected on the ruins of the old one.

Around 1450 BC, the Minoans settled in Knossos.

The palace was permanently destroyed around 1350 BC. from a great fire.

Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace is the monumental symbol of Minoan civilization because of its construction, the use of luxurious materials, architectural design, advanced construction techniques and impressive size.

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