Gournia
 | At this important archaeological site an entire Minoan settlement was discovered. The city prospered around 1.600 ~ 1.400 BC and its decline came with its destruction, most likely by fire, around 1.200 BC. On the crest of the hill, large buildings were found, presumed to have been the palace or better the administrative center of the ruler of the region. |
A shrine with important findings was not far from the palace. Relief clay tubes with snakes on them and a clay female figure with raised arms were found on an offering table. The female figure had a snake twisted around her body and it was a cult idol but it is not known if she was a goddess or
a priestess. We don't know the meaning of the snakes either. There is a theory relating snakes to chthonic powers which is supported by the fact that cay bird where found there as well. So having the animals of the sky and the earth gives the impression of good and evil.
All the findings from Gournia are exhibited in the archaeological museum of Heraklion.
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Heraklion
The prefecture of Heraklion is the biggest on the island and is surrounded by Ida mountains and Lassithi
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The prefecture of Chania occupies the west section of the island. It's a mainly mountainous region with the White Mountains
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The prefecture of Rethymno lies between two large mountain ranges, the White mountains and Ida
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Lassithi is the easternmost prefecture of Crete. Agios Nikolaos, the capital of the prefecture is a cosmopolitan, coastal town on Mirabello bay.
