Island of Crete

IERAPETRA

Ierapetra is the southernmost town in Greece with a ravishing beach on the Libyan Sea
Kreta Ierapetra is an active tourist center. It is located only 36 km. from Agios Nikolaos. The area has a reputation for its resplendent sand beaches, its mild climate and unhampered sunshine, for its early fruits and vegetables.
The variety and extent of Ierapetra coastline make it possible for bathers to enjoy an infinite number of different places to swim, all of them lapped by warm, crystal clear water.
Water sports are also available in the majority of them. Ierapetra has an impressive variety of goods to offer shoppers, from top designer labels and exquisite jewelry to fine antiques and high quality leather goods. Shops are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 am-3 pm and on Tuesday and Thursday 9 am-8 pm.Tourist shops are open 9 am-10 pm. 7 days the week.
Thing to buy from Ierapetra are Wine, Embroideries, handicrafts, Woven goods, Folk art, and Various cheese (types: kefalotyri, graviera)

Where to go? What to visit?

Archaeological Museum of Ierapetra
The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century, during the Turkish occupation of Crete and was housed in several buildings in the past. Today it is housed in the building of the Commercial Ottoman School, which is protected by a preservation order, and has been ceded to the Ministry of Culture by the Municipality of Hierapetra.
The collections include:
Minoan art: painted sarcophagi, lamps, Late Minoan III (1400-1200 B.C.) vases, mostly stirrup jars and kraters.
Geometric figurines and vases (9th-8th century B.C.)
Archaic art (mostly figurines and relief plaques) of the late 7th-6th centuries B.C.
Classical and Hellenistic vases and figurines (end of 1st century B.C. - 4th century A.D.)
Roman reliefs and statues
Funerary and votive inscriptions of Greek and Roman times

The Port
The port of Ierapetra is located at the old town and gives shelter to small boats and ships. Efforts are made to enlarge the port so to be able for bigger ships to dock and make Ierapetra the only one town on the south coast line of Crete in direct line with the African countries and the Levant.
To day only fishing boats and small cruising ships can moor.
Various travellers of past centuries have written about the ruins of ancient Hierapytna. Chr. Buondelmondi travelled around Crete in 1415 A.C. and writes: "... we also saw a big harbor. I concluded that due to age and the action of the sea which spreads away to the south, the harbor has become silted up. The villagers have converted it from the once famous port that it was into a fertile field"

The Fort " KALES "
The fort, built by the Venetians and Known to Ierapetrans as the "Kales", has been erected on the top of the southernmost mole of the ancient harbour. It is one of those monuments of the past which, because of its solid construction and the fact that it was still garrisoned until the latest years of the last century, still exists today to serve as a reminder of some of the nation's most difficult times.

The Church of Afentis Christos
The church of Afentis Christos, is near the fort, a little to the west in the "Sarakina" area. It has two aisle, the second being dedicated to St Charalambos. There is a beautiful wooden iconostasis and a number of fine icons.
It is regarded as being the oldest church in the town, probably having been built in the 14th century. In about 1970 however, the western end was extended, changing the basic form of the church.
It is an old custom for the metropolitan to celebrate the Resurrection, and the burning of Judas, at this church each Ester.

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