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Matala Crete
The turquoise blue sea, and the red disk of the sun which sets in the evening create a hue of colors that evoke novel emotions.
Matala is a small resort in south Crete that combines quiet
and relaxing holidays with intense nightlife.
On the sandy beach is written by a fisherman: Today is life, tomorrow never comes!
Matala was once the place of the flower-power and the hippy-scene. Yeah, those were the days!
The Matala from now is a busy tourist place with a lot of hotels, apartments, rooms, taverns and shops. Before 1970, the time that the flower-children and the hippies overrunned this small village, Matala only existed of 10 houses, one tavern, a beautiful beach and of course the ancient cave houses of which Matala thanks her fame.
The beach of this bay, in the form of a reaping-hook, is still the same. The cave houses, cut by the Cretan people from the early Stone Age, with their passages, stone beds and fireplaces, are now put under monumental care. They are really worth visiting.
The beach of fine stones is very pleasant. Especially the early morning and the end of the afternoon can still bring back the memories of what has been.
Nevertheless, Matala has something. A friendly atmosphere and beautiful surroundings will take care of some days of enjoyment, without having the feeling of being disturbed by mass tourism.
Should you be in the neighborhood, do pay this village a visit and try to go back in time: put a flower behind your ear and wow, for some time you will feel like a hippy!
Historical data
Matala was the ancient port of Phaistos and Gortys and a former fishing community which has developed into a modern holiday center. It is located 4 km south-west of the village of Pitsidia and 75 km from Iraklion. It is built on the coast line of the Messara bay inside a small and picturesque inlet. The turquoise blue sea, and the red disk of the sun which sets in the evening horizon create a hue of colors that evoke novel emotions.
Matala was the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period, following the destruction of Kommos, and the port of Gortys during the Roman period when Gortys was proclaimed capital of Crete by the Romans.
The Gortynians occupied Matala at 220 B.C. Ruins of the ancient city are still visible on the sea bed as the ancient city was sunk in the sea. The archaeological pick has unearthed some traces of the palaces built by the nobles from the ancient cities of Phaistos and Gortys.
There is also a cave known as "Brutospeliana" and legend has it that it was frequented by the Roman general Brutus. Owing to its exceptional natural beauty, Matala became the meeting place of the "Flower Children" in 1968. Although their conference failed to realize, yet they were compensated by the incomparable beauty of the area, which so much contrasts with the concept of destruction and war.
Sights
The magnificent inlet of Matala features one of the best beaches in Crete. The artificial caves, carved into the north face of the coast, have been probably used as prehistoric dwellings and places of worship, while during the 1st-2nd century were used as tombs.
These caves, in combination with the sandy beach, form a semicircle on both sides of which jut up towering rocks; they act as a magnet for many people. During the 60s the caves were hosting a hippie commune. Today, the tomb-caves of Matala are protected by the Archaeological Service.
The Koule fortress on the Kastri hill is an attraction that should not be missed by the visitor.
There is also a hewn-in-the-rock church dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. It is more like a catacomb and was used by the early-Christians during the years of persecutions.
South of Matala there is a huge rock formation known as the rock of Theosyni that offers a panoramic view of the Messara Bay. The rock rises from the sea while at sea level it caves in deep to form a natural marine cave, named Kouroupi. This cave provides shelter to wild pigeons and to the Mediterranean seal.
The beauty of the coast continues south of Kouroupi, where following a path along the rock, you reach the enchanting red sand beach, a place for those who are young and daring. The spectacular red sand beach is known as Ammoudia. To get there take the sandy trail from Kouroupi that leads south. This location is ideal for camping.
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