Crete-Discover the Unknown Crete

eautiful panoramas, as far as the ruins of
the castle which was once property of the
Genoese and later recovered by the
Venetians who called it Monforte. Climbing
to the crest one has a splendid view over the
easternmost part of Crete as far as the
Libyan sea. In the sixteenth century the
fortress was abandoned and fell into ruin for
lack of care. Later the site became a refuge
for the peoples persecuted by the Ottomans
and it is said that up to 3000 people could
take shelter within its walls.
To visit some of the most important
lands of the noble families of Venice one
must push on through narrow roads
between vineyards and orchards in the
direction of Ziros. One of the most
fascinating sites is Etia, property of the
powerful Venetian De Mezzo family, who
built their residence here in the sixteenth
century, a large palace, well-conserved and
restored, with two churches alongside it,
Ayia Ekaterina and Ayios Ioannis. Atop the
main door is the family crest of two
mermaids, while inside it opens onto a large
hall with barrel-vaulting and a stairway
which once led to the now non-existent
upper floor.
Castles, churches
and palaces testify
to the power of
Venetian rule which
lasted for over four
centuries
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