greek hotels - Amnissos Amnissos is just a breath away from Heraklion, 8 km from the city. Many Heraklians choose to bathe at the large sandy beach, as there are frequent bus trips there and back. The bay has been developed for tourism, and you will find almost every facility you could wish for. In 1932, the archaeologist Spyros Marinatos excavated the eastern side of the hill dividing the beach in two, and discovered the famous "Lily Villa" wall-painting. It was removed and is currently exhibited in the archaeological museum of Heraklion. The existence of a villa here is no accident, as Amnissos was the main port of Knossos, and it is believed that this was the residence of a dignitary. The Santorini volcano destroyed it, and in fact, S. Marinatos' theory on the destruction of the entire Minoan civilization by the volcano was based on this discovery. An outdoor temple of Zeus was also found on the west side of the same hill. The cave of llitheiia is just 500 m away from Amnissos, on the way to Elia. It is 60 m long, 9-12 m wide; in its centre is a rectangular altar around two stalagmites that resemble human forms. The entrance is from the east, as is the case with most caves dedicated to the Gods. It was a place of worship of the fertility goddess from the Neolithic period to the 5th century AD. It is therefore one of the most important age-old places of worship, where Mlnoan, Greco-Roman and even Christian deities were worshipped. The cave has not been developed for tourists, so we suggest you do not visit it without proper preparation and equipment.

Summer-Hotels > Heraklion > Amnissos

Amnissos is just a breath away from Heraklion, 8 km from the city. Many Heraklians choose to bathe at the large sandy beach, as there are frequent bus trips there and back. The bay has been developed for tourism, and you will find almost every facility you could wish for.
In 1932, the archaeologist Spyros Marinatos excavated the eastern side of the hill dividing the beach in two, and discovered the famous "Lily Villa" wall-painting. It was removed and is currently exhibited in the archaeological museum of Heraklion. The existence of a villa here is no accident, as Amnissos was the main port of Knossos, and it is believed that this was the residence of a dignitary. The Santorini volcano destroyed it, and in fact, S. Marinatos' theory on the destruction of the entire Minoan civilization by the volcano was based on this discovery. An outdoor temple of Zeus was also found on the west side of the same hill.
The cave of llitheiia is just 500 m away from Amnissos, on the way to Elia. It is 60 m long, 9-12 m wide; in its centre is a rectangular altar around two stalagmites that resemble human forms. The entrance is from the east, as is the case with most caves dedicated to the Gods. It was a place of worship of the fertility goddess from the Neolithic period to the 5th century AD. It is therefore one of the most important age-old places of worship, where Mlnoan, Greco-Roman and even Christian deities were worshipped. The cave has not been developed for tourists, so we suggest you do not visit it without proper preparation and equipment.