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Crete TOURnet: Home Crete Guide Minoan Sights Minoan Villa in Mirtos

Minoan Villa in Mirtos


The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
Another Minoan site was located in a place called Mirtos Pirgos. It was active in the Early Minoan era, and, like the one in Fournou Korfi, it was destroyed at the same time, but was rebuilt and used in later Minoan times. During the New Palace Period the settlement had a large villa on the summit of the hill. A cistern dating from the Old Palace Period is considered to be the deepest Minoan cistern found in Crete.
The site at the top of a hill on the north side of the main road is signposted before the entrance to Mirtos. There is a dirt road here that continues to the Venetian bridge of the old road to Ierapetra. The path that starts at the base of the hill close to the highway is difficult to see because of recent floods, but as you go up it is clearly marked with white stones. The ascent takes about 15 minutes and is well-worth the effort. The Minoan villa at the crest had an incredible view of the Libyan Sea and the surrounding area. A stepped street from the town on the eastern hillside led to a paved courtyard in front of the house. The cistern in the courtyard is from an earlier period and it was filled with stones when the villa was built. The characteristic Minoan raised walk bordered the front of the veranda. The border of the walk was made of purple limestone, as were the bases of the wooden columns. The entrance to the villa from the veranda was at the west end and led into a passage that continued north first to a staircase (now covered for protection) and then a lightwell with a purple limestone floor. A bench (also covered for protection) was opposite the lightwell. Remains found in an east wing suggest a large and grand upstairs room.
On the north side of the hill below the villa are the remains of the deepest Minoan cistern found in Crete. It appears that its outer wall gave way and it was not repaired, forcing water to be hauled up from below.
The intriguing finds from the area of Mirtos are exhibited in the Museum of Agios Nikolaos and Iraklion.
 

Photos of Minoan Villa in Mirtos:


The steps from the Minoan town to the villa, Mirtos
The steps from the Minoan town to the villa, Mirtos
The entrance hall of the Minoan villa, Mirtos
The entrance hall of the Minoan villa, Mirtos
The courtyard of the villa over looking the Libyan Sea, Mirtos
The courtyard of the villa over looking the Libyan Sea, Mirtos
Deep Minoan cistern in Mirtos Pirgos
Deep Minoan cistern in Mirtos Pirgos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
The Libyan Sea and the courtyard of the villa, Mirtos
 
Visit the area of the sight: Mirtos