Ancient Aptera

This was one of Crete’s most important cities, from the 5th century   BC,      into early Christian times. It is located about 3km from Megala Horafia, a short distance off the main highway, east of the Akrotiri and Souda. You can see the remains of the massive walls, a Roman theater and water tanks and a classical Greek temple. Of interest also is the abandoned monastery of Ag. Ioannis Theologos and at the western tip Bay. Aptera,(meaning wingless) is the place of legend from from which  the Sirens, after defeat  by the Muses in a contest of music, plucked off their wings and plunged into the sea below, to become islands at the mouth of Souda bay.