Close to the place where today it is situated the village of Axos, 44 kilometers far from Rethymnon, it is found the archaeological site of ancient Oaxos, one of the most important towns of ancient Crete. It had been active for a long period of time, from the Late Minoan period up to the Late Roman period.

The excavations started in the late 19 th century by Italian archaeologists and have brought to light interesting ceramic vases and potsherds, inscriptions, statuettes and coins.

The town seems to be extended enough from Axos to Livada, at the Northeast.

Ruins of important buildings as the temple of Aphrodite (Venus), the Prytaneion, several tombs and parts of the impressive defensive wall are visible today. Parts of ancient buildings, mainly of temples of the Classical period have been found in the masonry of the Byzantine churches of the area.

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