Ancient Lato
Excavation of Lato
The archaeological site of Lato is set on a hill nearly 15 km away from the city of Agios Nikolaos. You must follow the country lane to Kritsa. The mountain village of Kritsa is well worth seeing. The Name Lato occurred the goddess "Leto", mother of Apollo and Artemis. Lato is one of the most important city-states of the Dorians. The city was built between two hills with a fantastic view of the Mirabello Bay. A wall with a very strong gate surrounds the site.From the south you´ll have fantastic views to the white buildings of the City Aghios Nikolaos, which were in classic times only the port of Lato. In the North-side you´ll admire stunning views Gulf of Mirabello and the Bay of Elounda, in the westside views to the valleys and the steep peaks of the Dikti Mountains.
Excavations have shown that this town was inhabited since the Minoan period. Lato had an alliance with Rhodes and Pergamon and was always in conflict with its neighboring cities. When you visit the Excavations of Lato, you ´ll see why people always been interested in this "little piece of earth". It's just a magical place. It´s supposed that the city was founded by the Dorians in the 8th century BC. In the 2nd century BC, the citizens began to move towards the sea, today "Agios Nikolaos". Agios Nikolaos was the port city of the wealthy ancient settlement of Lato. You´ll see the well-preserved cisterns, the agora and the theatre. After sightseeing in Lato you can stop over in Kritsa. The highlight of this picturesque mountain village is the old 14th century church of Panagia Kira.
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