By Catherine Tsounis
Crete is an island desired by nations for its strategic location. The beaches of Crete, rocky and sandy, attract tourism. In a previous excursion, we visited Matala Beach, one hour southwest of Heraklion.
Matala has an extraordinary sea view. It is a village with nature carved caves and a tree sculpture in a 600 year old olive tree. Its unique past extends to 2000 BC Minoan times, when it was the port of Phaistos. The following people have conquered it: Arcadian Greeks from Gortynia, Peloponnese; Roman Empire and the Ottoman Turks.
The day we went to Matala Beach, windy, turbulent sea waves made it difficult to swim. At the entrance is a tree sculpture of faces on a 600 year old olive tree. Sculptor Spiros P. Stefanakis in his anthem posted by the tree, said “The place was not made accidentally…Live the eternity, magic of this blessed place. ”Stefanakis anthem was created in 2011.
The caves of Matala created an international sensation when the Hippies came here to live in the 1960’s-1970’s. Joni Mitchell sang her song “Carey” here. Janis Joplin, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan lived nearby. An era gone! Today international tourists visit in a family setting.
The local supermarket had traditional Greek foods for tourists. The “Lions restaurant served grilled foods with crusty village bread on picturesque paper tablecloths with the map of Crete. I admired the tablecloth. The owner gave me several as a gift.
Cretans are known for their independent spirit and code of honor. In 1898, Crete joined Greece after bloody, genocidal battles with the Ottoman Turks, They really believe in “Freedom or Death”. In 2025, they are a family oriented society that sticks together.
Links:
https://greekreporter.com/
https://www.thetinybook.com/
Please wait...