he southern part of the Prefecture of Herakleio lies in the blue embrace of the Libyan Sea at the southernmost edge of Europe. The distinctive difference between the northern and the southern part results from the relative geographic isolation between the two parts and is caused, mainly, to the existence of mountainous massive volumes which separate the two parts and secondary by the width -the maximum in Crete- of the island in this area. This fact has it's own influence into southerner’s part climate which is milder than the northern one, tending to subtropical.
So, this part is ideal for bathing even in the winter months.

		he main characteristic of the southern part, is the unspoiled natural environment and the sense of authentic in overall human activities. In the internal zones of this area, you can find a great variety of landscapes such as beautiful valleys with all the kinds of plantation, cultivated areas, imposing mountains surrounded by forests and even deserted mountainous areas and rough ravines.

lot of picturesque villages, like Ano Vianos and Ayii Deka, can also be found in this area, where local people kept alive traditions and cultures during the centuries. The former one is built in a semicircle on the slope forming the foothills of Mt Dikte.
It was a large and prosperous village in Venetian times, but under the Turks it was destroyed twice, in 1822 and in 1866. Today it is a verdant settlement with numerous streams of fresh water and a mild climate. The Ayii Deka village, at the other hand, stands on a wooded hill and has a wonderful view over the ruins of ancient Gortyn across the olive goves of the northern end of the Messara plain.

The archaeological site of Ancient Gortyn covers an enormous area. Gortyn is one of the most ancient cities on Crete and it dominated the Messara plain from pre-historic times into the Classical period. The site was inhabited by the Minoans, but it did not develop into a city until after the Dorian invasion. Plato describes it as one of the richest cities of Crete. The low-abiding nature of the Gortynians is demonstrated by the large slabs bearing the city's laws, the famous 'Code of Gortyn'.
The city was also the first one in Crete to feel the influence of Christianity and the first Christian churches were built here. The oldest and most important of them is the metropolitan basilica of St. Titus, dating from the 6th century, the ruins of which can still be seen today.

		n the coastal areas, you can discover an unending panorama of scenic beauty. Sapphire seas, gently lap golden sandy beaches, magnificent rock formations and sea caves, pretty fishing villages like Lendas and wonderful destinations like Kali Limenes and the famous Matala.

atala, consists the natural outlet of Phaestos in the sea. Located only 9 km away from Phaestos, it was the palace's second harbor in the Minoan period. There is a semi- circular sandy beach 300 meters in length, at either end of which are the cliffs which make the cove a rather private place.
These cliffs are riddled with man- made caves hacked out of the rock. Once the famous caves of Matala were the homes of the fishermen who lived here, but during the '70s they became one of the centers of the international hippie movement. Today, the caves have been fenced off by the Archaeological Service and it is forbidden to stay or spend the night in them.

		Tombs from Greek, Roman and Early Christian times have been found in the caves, and it is believed that they were first inhabited in the pre-historic period. There are also underwater caves, which can be visited by boat. Matala has a fine beach and a sheltered bay, so it is an ideal place for bathing.

Photos and text taken from "Crete - today and yesterday" and "Crete - A tour of all the towns and villages" (Toubis Editions)

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