Sitia, the capital of Sitia province, has about 8,500 inhabitants today, is 70 kms away from Agios Nikolaos, and is built in the shape of an amphitheatre. It has a port, which is connected to Piraeus directly by ship, and by air to Athens International Airport.
The town is developing in harmony with its character. Recently, a department of the Technological Institute of Crete was established in Sitia, and its wintcr pace is anything but slack. In any case, it is also a pole of attraction for the residents in nearby villages throughout the winter period. The place-name is attributed to the ancient city of Itia, the seaport of Pressos, although it is not definite that it was built in the same place as the modern town. The town seems to have been inhabited since the late Minoan period and continued to exist in the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. It was destroyed after the Venetian occupation, by a large earthquake in 1508. A few years later it was rebuilt ( I 538); then it was invaded and looted by the famous pirate Barbarossa, and in 165 I it was destroyed by the Venetians so as not to be handed over to the Turks. The town remained uninhabited for two centuries. It was settled again in 1870, on initiative of the Turks, and was initially an administrative centre until it was taken over and liberated by the Revolution fighters. To the left of the town one can see the remains of the Venetian Kazarma fortress. Currently, it is used as a concert venue, where the "Kornaria" events are held each summer; we suggest you attend these atmospheric events in honour of the poet. The town is proud to be the birthplace of one of the Seven Wise Men of ancient Greece, Myson. In addition, this is where Vincenzos Kornaros, the poet who wrote the famous epic poem funny okritos, lived and created his work. There is an Archaeological Museum (tel.: 28430/239 17) with very significant archaeological findings, which is definitely worth a visit. It is a small museum but has a rich collection of exhibits, dating mainly from the Minoan period and Hellenistic times. The rooms are arranged in chronological order. The Minoan gold-and-ivory figurine depicting a Kouros, believed to be an object of worship, representing the god of fertility, will impress you. Also important is the ritual vessel in the shape of a bull and a series of Linear A inscriptions, which have been brought to the museum from the excavations in Mochlos and Zakros respectively. The museum is open every day except Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at the town's exit towards lerapetra.
The Folk Art Museum is also interesting (tel.: +30 28340/22861); it is located at number 33, Kapetan Sifi St., and is open every day except Sunday. In its four rooms, you will find textiles, embroidery, furniture, local traditional costumes, household objects, a complete loom, and other exhibits.