CRETE HOME
 The Greek Islands
 My house on Crete
 Mail me
 Naturist beaches
 Crete restaurants
 Crete real estate
 Crete car cental
 CRETE HOTELS
 Crete villas
 Crete winter rentals
 Map of Crete
 More maps of Crete
 Achladia
 Achlia Beach beach
 Afratabeach
 Afrati
 Agathia
 Agia Eirini beach
 Agia Fotia beach
 Agia Galinilovebeach
 Agia Irini
 Agia Kyriakichurch
 Agia Lake
 Agia Marinabeach
 Agia Paraskevichurch
 Agia Pelagiachurchsitebeach
 Agia Roumelisitebeach
 Agia Sophiachurch
 Agia Sophia 2 church
 Agia Triada
 Agia Triada church
 Agia Triada lovechurchsite
 Agia Varvara
 Agii Deka church
 Agioi Asomatoichurch
 Agios Antonios beach
 Agios Dimitrios
 Agios Georgios (c)
 Agios Georgios beach
 Agios Georgios (w)
 Agios Georgios (e)
 Agios Ioannis cavechurch
 Agios Ioannischurch
 Ag. Konstantinoswindmill
 Agios Matheios church
 Agios Nikolaossitechurchbeach
 Agios Nikolaos church
 Ag. Nikolaos Zaroschurch
 Agios Onoufrios lovebeach
 Agios Panteleimonchurch
 Agios Pavloslovebeach
 Agios Spyridon
 Agios Stephanos
 Agios Vasilioschurch
 Akoumialovechurch
 Alikamboschurch
 Aliki & Almiridabeachchurch
 Alikianos church
 Almiros Beachbeach
 Almyrida sitebeach
 Aloides
 Amiras
 Ammoudara (e)beach
 Ammoudara (w) beach
 Amnissos churchsitebeach
 Amoudari
 Analipsi (s) beach
 Analipsi (n) beach
 Anatolichurch
 Ancient Elefthernachurchsite
 Andravasti
 Anidri  lovechurch
 Anissaras beach
 Anogia
 Anopolis (south)
 Anopolis church
 Ano Vianoschurchtree
 Apesokari
 Apodoulousite
 Apoini
 Aptera site
 Aradenachurch
 Archaneschurchsite
 Aretiouchurch
 Argiroupoli churchsite
 Argoules
 Argyromouri
 Arkadichurch
 Arkalochorichurch
 Armeni site
 Armeni (Chania)
 Aroni
 Arvi beachbeach
 Asimi
 Asomatos
 Aspro
 Asprolithos beach
 Astratigos
 Astrikas
 Atherinolakos
 Avdouchurch
 Azokeramos church
 Bali beach
 Balos Beach beach
 Bampiolos
 Chamaitoulo
 Chandras
 Chanialovefortsite
 Charakasfortchurch
 Chargas
 Chersonissos beach
 Chiona beach beach
 Chondros
 Chorafakia
 Chora Sfakionlovebeach
 Choudetsi
 Chrysopigichurch
 Chrisoskalitissachurch
 Damasta
 Damnoni Beach beach
 Deliana church
 Deres
 Dermatos Beachbeach
 Diktamos Gorge
 Diktynnalovebeachbeach
 Dories
 Douliana
 Drakonachurch
 Drapanossite
 Drosia
 Dytikos Beachbeach
 Elafonissosbeach
 Eleftherna church
 Eloschurch
 Elounda lovewindmillsitebeach
 Epanochori
 Epano Episkopichurch
 Epano Sisi
 Episkopi
 Episkopi Beachbeach
 Etia churchsite
 Exo Lakonia
 Exo Mouliana
 Exo Potami windmill
 Falassarna sitebeach
 Farmakokefalo site
 Fata Morganabeach
 Ferma sitebeach
 Fodelelovetreechurch
 Fournessite
 Fourni
 Frangokastelolovefortbeach
 Freschurch
 Galatas
 Gavalochorisite
 Gazi
 Georgioupolibeach
 Geranibeach
 Gerani Cave beach
 Gergeri
 Geropotamosbeach
 Gialiskari Beach beach
 Gonies
 Gortynsite
 Goudouras beach
 Gournia site
 Gouvernetouchurchsite
 Gouves beach
 Grammenifort
 Gramvousafortbeach
 Grigoria
 Hamezi
 Heraklionfort
 Houmeriakoschurch
 Hrisopigi
 Ierapetra fortsitebeach
 Ilingas Beach lovebeach
 Imbros Gorge
 Istro beach
 Itanoslovesitebeach
 Izzedine fort
 Kalamafka beach
 Kalamaki (n) beach
 Kalamaki (s) beach
 Kalamibeach
 Kalami (south east)
 Kalamitsi
 Kalathas Beach beach
 Kalidonia
 Kali Limenesbeach
 Kalives beach
 Kalivianibeach
 Kalo Nerobeach
 Kaloni
 Kaloudiana
 Kambia
 Kampanos
 Kampos
 Kandanos
 Kapetaniana
 Kapsodassos
 Kardamiana
 Kares (south) fort
 Kares (north)
 Karidi
 Karidi 2
 Karydi church
 Karteros Beachbeach
 Karthiana
 Kasteli (east)church
 Kasteli (Her)
 Kastellosfort
 Kastri Beachlovechurchbeach
 Katalagari
 Kathiana
 Katholikolovechurch
 Katochori
 Kato Choriochurch
 Kato Episkopichurchfort
 Kato Favriana
 Kato Kastellianasite
 Kato Kria
 Kato Poulia
 Kato Saktouria
 Kato Vianoschurch
 Kato Zakros lovesitebeach
 Kavousi
 Kavros Beachbeach
 Kedrodasos Beachbeach
 Kefalas
 Kefalichurch
 Kelaria
 Kendri
 Kera Beachbeach
 Keramoti
 Keratokamposbeach
 Kirianachurch
 Kissamos fortsitebeach
 Klima
 Knossos site
 Koimesis Churchchurch
 Kokini Chanisitebeach
 Kokkino Chorio
 Kokkinos Pirgos beach
 Kolimbari churchbeach
 Kolokythachurchsitebeach
 Komitadeschurch
 Kommos   sitebeach
 Kontopoula church
 Korfalonasbeach
 Kotsifou Canyon
 Koufi Petrachurch
 Koufos church
 Kounavi church
 Kouremenos beach
 Kournas
 Kournas Lake beach
 Kourtaliotiko
 Koustogerako
 Koutelos Beach beach
 Koutsourasbeach
 Kremasta church
 Krevatas
 Kritsalovechurch
 Kufi
 Kydoniasite
 Lagoliofort
 Lakki
 Lakki Beach beach
 Lagkada 
 Lagkada-Lagada lovebeach
 Langada
 Lapithos
 Lasithi Plain windmill
 Lastros church
 Latosite
 Lefkochori
 Lendaschurchsitebeach
 Likotinara
 Limnes
 Lissossitebeach
 Listis Beachbeach<
 Lithineschurch
 Livadas
 Livadia Beachbeach
 Livadia Beach   beachchurch
 Livari Beach   beach
 Loukia
 Loulos
 Loutraki
 Loutro beach
 Lygaria Beachbeach
 Madaros
 Magarikari
 Maheri
 Makrigialos sitebeach
 Makrigiani
 Makrilia
 Malaxa
 Maleme beach
 Malia sitebeach
 Maralia
 Marathibeach
 Marathos
 Maridakilovebeach
 Maridatibeach
 Maronia
 Matalabeach
 Mavros Kolimbosbeach
 Mazi
 Melampbes
 Megala Chorafia
 Melidoni
 Menies Beachlovebeachbeach
 Mesa Lasithi
 Mesa Mouliana
 Meseleri church
 Mesklachurch
 Mesochori
 Miamou
 Micro Amoudi beach
 Milatoschurchbeach
 Milonas waterfall
 Mires
 Mirsini
 Mirtos beachchurch
 Mirtropoli site
 Mochlosbeachbeach
 Modi
 Moni
 Moni Kapsachurch
 Moni Preveli church
 Mournies
 Mouzourasfortchurch
 Neapoli
 Nea Roumata
 Nikithianos windmill
 Nipiditos
 Nipos
 Nomikiana
 Nopigia churchbeach
 Ombros Gialosbeach
 Orino
 Orthi Ammosbeach
 Pachia Ammosbeach
 Palailoni
 Palaiokastrofortbeach
 Palaiokastro (west)
 Palekastrobeach
 Paleochorafortbeach
 Palia Vrisi
 Panagia
 Panagia Kera church
 Panormosfortsitebeach
 Pantanasabeach
 Papagiannades church
 Paranimfi
 Paraspori Spring
 Patelari
 Patsianos
 Pazinos church
 Pefki
 Pemonia
 Perivolia
 Pervola
 Pervolitsachurch
 Petrassite
 Petresbeach
 Peza
 Phaestos Area;site
 Pilalimata
 Pirgoschurch
 Piskokefalo site
 Pitsidia
 Plakabeach
 Plaka (Chania)
 Plakalona
 Plakias beach
 Plataneschurch
 Platanichurch
 Platanias beach
 Platanos (west)
 Platanos (south)church
 Platanos
 Polyrriniachurchsite
 Pompia / Pombiachurch
 Potamida
 Praisossite
 Prases
 Preveli Beachbeach
 Prina church
 Prineschurch
 Prodomichurch
 Provarma
 Psari Foradabeach
 Psathogiannos
 Psychrochurch
 Ramni
 Rapanianabeach
 Ravdouchachurchbeach
 Rethimnon fortbeach
 Rizovigio Beach beach
 Rodakinobeach
 Rodoposchurchsite
 Rodovani
 Rokkalovesite
 Rotasi
 Rotonda church
 Rousapidia
 Saktouria
 Samaria Gorge
 Samonas
 Sarakina Gorge
 Schinokapsalachurch
 Seitan Limaniabeach
 Seles
 Selia
 Selinari church
 Sellia
 Sfaka
 Sfinari beach
 Sikia 
 Sikologos
 Sisarha
 Sisibeach
 Sisseschurch
 Sitiafortbeach
 Siva
 Skaleta beach
 Skaloti
 Sklavokampos site
 Skordilo
 Skouros beachbeach
 Skoutelonas
 Sokaras
 Souda
 Sougia beach
 Spilichurchsite
 Spiliachurch
 Spinalonga lovefort
 Stalos beach
 Stavrochorichurch
 Stavros Beach beach
 Stylos church
 Sweet Water Beachbeach
 Tersanas Beachbeach
 Tertsa beach
 Therisochurch
 Tholos beach
 Thomadiano
 Thripti
 Timpaki / Timbaki
 Toplouchurch
 Topolia Gorge
 Tourloti
 Triopetra beach
 Tripitos site
 Tris Ekklisieslovebeachchurch
 Tsichliano Gorge church
 Tsiskiana
 Tsivaras church
 Tsoutsouroslovebeach
 Tylissos site
 Tzermiado
 Tzitzifes
 Vagionia
 Vai Beach beach
 Vainia
 Vamos/Karydichurch
 Varipetro church
 Varsamonero church
 Vasiliki site
 Vasilopoulo
 Vathichurch
 Vathiakochurch
 Vathianos Kambosbeach
 Vathypetrosite
 Vatos beach
 Venerato
 Vlacheronitissa site
 Vlychada beach beach
 Voilachurchsite
 Vori
 Vori / Voroichurch
 Voriziachurch
 Vosakou Monasterychurch
 Vouvas
 Vouvestree
 Vrahassi
 Vrises (west)
 Vrises (east)
 Vrondisichurch
 Vrouhaswindmill
 Voulisma Beachbeach
 Xamoudohori
 Xerokamposlovesitebeach
 Xirosterni
 Zakroswindmillchurch
 Zaroschurch
 Ziros
 Zou
 Zounaki
Book hotels in Crete   Villas Crete Holidays   car hire Crete   Aegean Airlines

Google Chrome thinks enlarging my pictures, some links and sometimes scrolling through the pages is a popup. If you want to navigate my website than please allow "popups".

The village of Rodopos on the Rodopos Peninsula - Crete
Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta
Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta

Nederlands Map of Crete The village of Rodopos lies on the peninsula with the same name, the Rodopos peninsula, just west of the town of Kolimbari, and not far from Kissamos. It is a quiet village with several churches, some shops and a large square with a few taverns and a well. On the village square is also an ancient Roman column with inscriptions, dating from the time of Emperor Hadrian (119-138 AD). It gave the distance to the Diktynna Sanctuary which is situated in the north of the peninsula. In Latin is written that the road to the sanctuary was funded by the emperor Hadrian and the rich Diktynna sanctuary itself. The column was excavated in the 19th century and until the beginning of 2002 it stood net to the Agios Georgios church. In 2002 it was moved to the main square (where it is more noticeable). The Agios Georgios church is an old church. I myself think that it dates from the Byzantine period, but I can't find any further information about it. You can find it a bit further down into the village on the right hand side of the road. Unfortunately it is closed.

Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta
Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta

On a drawing you can see an impression of the sanctuary, so you can get an idea of what it looked like. The sites on the peninsula are indicated on a map. Besides these two "things to see" (the column and the church) Rodopos is a typical rural Cretan village with dilapidated houses next to houses that have been refurbished. The area is one of agriculture. Many people in Rodopos have a garden where they grow vegetables and there are some sheep in the fields. From the village the road leads up to the north, but a little further it suddenly stops and turns into a path.

Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta
Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta

The whole peninsula of Rodopos is reasonably quiet and still fairly undiscovered. Many of the maps still don't have the roads marked well and so you might think it is all dirt tracks not suitable for your car but instead there are also a lot of narrow asphalt roads. This is why many people still avoid this part of the island. The area is popular with walkers and cyclists.

Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta
Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta Rodopos, Crete, Kreta

From Rodopos there is a path leading to the extreme north where you can see the Diktynna Sanctuary. On the way you will pass the Ellinospilos cave which was already inhabited in prehistoric times. The sanctuary in the north of the Rodopos peninsula was dedicated to the daughter of Zeus. The myth tells that she had to escape from King Minos and jumped into the sea at this spot. Fishermen supposedly picked her up in their nets and brought her to the island Aegina, where she was honoured as a goddess. The people of Crete called her Diktynna (which means "net").

statue of Diktynna The first sanctuary dates from 700 BC and as good as nothing is left of it. Two centuries later the sanctuary was rebuilt. During the Roman period emperor Hadrianus had it enlarged. During the later centuries a lot of the buildings disappeared, mostly by people that wanted the stones to build their own houses. The Roman temple was surrounded by columns. Places where water was saved have also been found. Statues of the Roman emperor and of the goddess that have been found here can be seen in the Museum of Chania. The walk to the sanctuary over the coastal road is long and tiring and is better not made when it is too hot. The option is to go to the Diktynna sanctuary by boat from the nearby village of Kolimbari. As I understand it there are also boat trips from Platanias (and maybe from Chania?).

Diktynna was a Minoan mountain goddess who loved hunting and nature. According to the myth she was a beautiful woman that was born in western Crete, at the Samaria Gorge and the White Mountains, and she remained a virgin by choice. King Minos fell in love with her and pursued her for nine months all over the island until Diktynna jumped off the cliff where the sanctuary now stands. The fisherman who saved Diktynna and brought her to Aegina fell in love with her as well. Diktynna didn't answer his advances and fled to the sanctuary of Artemis. The goddess Artemis rewarded Diktynna for keeping her virginity and made her immortal.

The goddess Diktynna was worshipped throughout the island of Crete, but mainly in the west, where most temples were built in her honour. The sanctuary of Diktynna was the largest and richest. People walked barefoot to the sanctuary with their offerings. Thus they were more in contact with the nature that Diktynna loved so much.

At the end of the peninsula above a bay with a beautiful beach are on a rocky plateau the remains of a temple and an altar that were built in 123 AD during the reign of Hadrian. There are also remains of an aqueduct and other buildings. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was looted and abandoned. The area at Diktynna was never really well explored or excavated by archaeologists so there could be even more under the ground.


© Hans Huisman, https://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2019
Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional