11th & 12th Century Byzantine Villages

We now approach a series of traditional Cretan villages that date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, a pivotal era known as the Second Byzantine Period. Following the Byzantine reconquest of Crete from the Saracens in 961 AD,…

The structural integrity of these 11th and 12th-century buildings is remarkable, especially given the seismic activity common in the Aegean. The builders utilized a technique known as 'dry stone' or minimal mortar construction,…

One of the most profound aspects of visiting these traditional villages is the sense of social continuity. While many people have moved to the cities, those who remain often bear surnames that have been present in these mountains…

As we steer our buggies away from these ancient stone clusters, the silence of the 11th and 12th centuries lingers. We have stepped back in time to an era of emperors and exiles, of defensive arches and hidden frescoes. …