Tours from Heraklion

In this tour from Heraklion we start from the hill of Patella of Prinia, where the picturesque church of Agios Panteleimonas is located with the awesome view in all directions, the Minoan Rizinia or Apollonia was built there, which flourished until Roman times.

The excavations of the Italian School of Archaeology brought to light two temples of the 7th century BC (one was probably dedicated to the goddess Rhea) and a sanctuary dedicated to the Minoan goddess of snakes. Among the findings was a frieze with horsemen, deer and panthers, two statues of seated goddesses and shells that testify to the worship of Athena in the 2nd century BC. Important for the identification of the city with Rizinia was an inscription found with the letters (I)ZENIA(A). Every 4 years, Rizinia sent animals for sacrifice to the Idaean Cave.

Almost opposite the settlement, a Minoan cemetery has been found, while on the way to Asites we find the Siderospilies, as the carved tombs from the Minoan to the Roman era are called.

Under Patella of Prinias we find the wine presses. It is an area with scattered ancient grape presses that have all been carved into the soft limestone of the area. These wine presses are the proof of the ancient wine tradition of the region that from antiquity until today produced wines famous all over the world. The soils and altitude of this area are considered ideal for the cultivation of wine grape varieties, something that our ancestors had occupied, as a result of which they filled the area with vineyards.

Then we visit the village of Prinias, and specifically the picturesque chapel of Agia Irini, where we will all cook a traditional meal together and enjoy it with plenty of local wine, good company and fun.

After the completion of our meal, we will go down to the village, where we will sit in the old café and enjoy a traditional Greek coffee, together with the locals, where we will have the opportunity to get to know even better the history of the village.

Note: this is a private tour and can be modified according to your interests and preferences