 Arhanes, a beautiful little town in the Temenos prefecture, at an altitude of 380m and just 15 km from Heraklion -with a continuous habitation of 5.000 years- is one of the most important archaeological sites of Crete and has been characterised for its historical and traditional heritage. From prehistoric years to this date it has been an important financial centre of the surrounding area. It is speculated that in Arhanes lay the summer palace of King Minos. The area boasts a particular natural environment (gorges, hills, mountains, cultivable plain expanses, rare flora and fauna, but the buildings also encapsulate the neo-classical tradition with Venetian architecture.
Arhanes combines the effects of neoclassical and local architecture. In the traditional part of the settlement there are narrow roads, laid with natural slabs, where bougainvilleas, jasmines and pergolas, planted in flowerbeds, give colours and perfumes. Buildings, municipal and private, are stone-built with tiled wooden roof. The facades are usually coloured in ochre, the frames wooden and the architectural details, worked in local stone. Some have pretty balconies with elaborate iron railings. Courtyards, full of flowers, can be considered an extension of the narrow roads. |
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Hotels in Arhanes  | Arhontiko Arhanon Villas  | | Arhanes, Arhanes | | Arhontiko is a 4-star traditional apartment accommodation. It is situated in the centre of Arhanes, a picturesque town built at the foot of the sacred mount Jiouktas. Built in 1893, it is a fine exam...(more) |
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13°C - 20°C 
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