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Neapolis, Lassithi Crete |
Neapolis is an inland town at a distance of 15 kilometers Northwestern to Aghios Nicolaos, just off the National Road from Heraklion to Aghios Nicolaos. It is situated within a green valley with olive trees and vegetable gardens. It counts 2.765 permanent residents. At a distance of 3 kilometers northeastern to the town the visitor may see the ruins of the ancient Doric city of Dreros, upon the low hill of Aghios Antonios. Excavations have brought to light interesting buildings as the temple of Apollo Delphinios, dated to the 8 th century b.C. There have also been found several mobile finds; three bronze statues (one of a man and two of women) are exhibited in the Heraklion Museum. It is suggested that they are statues of divinities, without having been identified of which ones. The most important find from the ancient city is the stone inscription where it is cited the oath of 180 adolescents of the city, written in the Doric idiom; the piece is actually found at the Inscription Museum of Istanbul. The inscription tells about the faith of these youngsters to their country and for Knossos, their ally, and about their hate for Lyttioi, their great enemies. |
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Once in the area, you may also visit several Monasteries and old Byzantine churches, scattered around. At a small distance from Neapolis there are a few traditional villages worth visiting as Nikithianos (1 kilometer eastern to the town) with beautiful old windmills; Choumeriakos (3 kilometers at the Southeast), with scenic stone buildings, the Byzantine church of Panaghia (Virgin Mary) and an arched door going back to the period of the Venetian domination; Limnes (3 kilometers far from Neapolis at the East) with beautiful Byzantine churches and a wonderful view; Vrysses, a mountainous village at a height of 450 meters, 4 kilometers at the South. Neapolis has an interesting Folk Museum where there are exhibited numerous traditional vessels and utensils, mainly wood carved handicrafts and items for everyday use. There is also an important archaeological collection with finds from all over the area; it comprises coins, statues, inscriptions, art work and items of everyday life. |
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Being more a transport and economic center of the broader area and less a place for staying, Neapolis has not a broad range of accommodation to choose from. There is a hotel open all year round and you can find good food in the taverns and restaurants. As for swimming, the locals prefer the beach of Milatos, at a distance of 13 kilometers far from Neapolis at the North. A local feast (“panighyri”) takes place on the 15 th of August at Neapolis, in honor of the Assumption of Virgin Mary; another great local feast (“panighyri”) takes place at Limnes, on the 26 th of September, in honor of Aghios Ioannis Theologos (St. John the Evangelist). In case of emergency, a local Medical center is available; you can also address to the pharmacy of the town. Access from Aghios Nicolaos or Heraklion is possible by public bus running very frequently, by taxi from Aghios Nicolaos, as well as by rented or private car and motorbikes. |
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