The castle of Liopetros is situated at a distance of some 12 kilometers Western to Sitia and 8-9 kilometers Northern to the village of Chamezi. It was built in the early period of Venetian domination at the same place, a natural stronghold, where it used to be the ancient acropolis. The name of the castle is due to a false pronunciation of “Leon di Pietra” (“the lion of stone”).

Today the monument is ruined and what the visitor sees is only a part of the huge walls and towers as well some cisterns and rooms for various purposes. It is so big, that the Venetians in the 16 th century had planned to transfer within the castle the entire population of Sitia, in order to save them from the Ottoman attacks. However, this plan was never realized, due to the high cost of restoration of the castle, already semi-ruined.

In 1971, at the site of “Fatsi”, near the castle there have been found 5 small square vaulted tombs of the Sub-Minoan and Early Geometric periods. Jewels, seal stones, and bronze items were collected from the tombs, which however, had been pillaged before the excavation.

The visitor can also see the church of Aghios Ioannis, within the castle and enjoy the marvelous view of the land around and of the Cretan sea.