Ancient Lissos

Ancient Lissos: Unveiling Crete's Lost City and Healing Sanctuary

Ancient Lissos, hidden on the shore of the Libyan Sea, stands as a tribute to the thrill of discovery. The breathtaking beauty of nature and the revelation of some of Crete’s well-kept ancient secrets are what make this destination interesting. This abandoned city offers a one-of-a-kind experience that can only be reached on foot or by boat from Sougia. You can access the area by car, but we will have more information on that later on in the article. The location, a lovely valley surrounded by mountains, was mostly unknown until 1957, when a local’s search for a water source led to the discovery of approximately twenty statues depicting Asclepius, Hygeia, Pluto, and a few dedicated patients.

history

Ancient Lissos was founded in the 3rd century BC and was a major commercial and cultural hub in the region. The city was strategically positioned on the shore, and its harbor served as an important link for trade between Crete and the rest of the Mediterranean. Aside from its economic significance, Lissos was also a medicinal center, with a number of sanctuaries devoted to Asclepius, the god of medicine.

The healing sanctuaries and their thermal baths were the center of attraction in Lissos, bringing visitors from all across the region in search of relief from their illnesses. The sanctuaries included an Asclepius temple with a great mosaic floor, many stone and murble housing remnants, a Roman necropolis and a theater for public entertainment.

Most of the findings, such as statues, coins and pottery, are on display at the Archeological Museum in Chania.

Lissos generally maintained friendly relationships with the neighboring cities in this region of western Crete.

Lissos was a prosperous city throughout the Roman and early Byzantine periods.

It is worth noting that the city had a bishop’s seat until the 9th century A.D. during the Byzantine era, which was a privilege reserved for the most prominent cities at the time. However, it appears that activity in Lissos halted in the 9th century A.D., when the city was deserted following the liberation of Crete from Arab control and was never inhabited again.

The religious nature of the site, however, was sustained until the Byzantine period.

Attractions

Arriving by foot, the valley of ancient Lissos unfolds in all its splendor. A Roman necropolis can be seen on the other side of the valley. This cemetery, which has 118 visible burials, takes up the entire southwestern and western slopes. For the most part, it is built with a vaulted, single-spaced rectangular layout.

The ancient residential sector is located on the left side of the site, while the town’s public operations (namely the Agora) are positioned in the center. However, all that remains are ruins. There is no evidence of fortification because the town, a noted religious and healing center, had no need for it. However, tower ruins may be found, most likely serving as guard towers on the neighboring summits. There are no specific traces of roadways or old routes that have been unearthed.

The Asclepion healing center was the main attraction from then until today. It is the only structure you can easily identify due to it’s beautiful mosaic floor. The Asclepius cult had over 900 temples during the Hellenic-Roman era and they were all connected to the water element. In ancient times, the waters of Lissos were considered medicinal, and in the Asclepius, many illnesses were cured by methods of what we call today holistic medicine.

A bit further from the Asclepius temple there is a theater. Until now, the excavations have unearthed a portion of the stage, 14 rows of seats, and two vaulted side chambers. The odeon was built during the Roman period, roughly between the 1st and 4th centuries A.D.

In addition to the ancient attractions, you can find two chapels from the early Christian Byzantine era.

Saint kyrikos chapel

The first one is dedicated to Agios (Saint) Kyrikos and is located between the Asclepion temple and the Odeon (theater). The saint was considered the patron of the city during the Byzantine era and was celebrated on July 15th. The frescoes of the chapel are mostly damaged, with written inscriptions for the years 1436, 1437 and 1439.

Panagia (virgin Mary) chapel

Walking towards Lissos Beach, 50 meters away from the water, you will encounter the second chapel dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary). For the walls of the chapel, parts of marble and limestone from the nearby ruins were used by the early Christians of the area. Both of the chapels date back to the 6th century AD.

Photos featuring Ancient lissos

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN Ancient Lissos

Hike Ancient Lissos

Visit the Roman Odeon

Discover the Asclepion Temple

Visit Saint Kyrikos Chapel

Explore your way to Lissos beach

Visit Panagia Chapel

Swim at Lissos Beach

Trail Trekk the E4 path

Hike to the Roman Necropolis

How to Get There

As we previously mentioned at the beginning of the article, you can access Ancient Lissos from Chania with these main options:

By boat from Sougia:

You can take a boat from the village of Sougia, which is located about 70 km south of Chania. This is the easier way to reach Lissos, but you will need to pay a fisherman to take you there. There are plenty of fishermen in the port who can take you to Lissos for about 4 euros per person.

By hiking:

You can hike through the Lissos Gorge from Sougia, which is a medium-difficult two-hour hike or the E4 path from Paleochora.
The descent is somewhat steep, but if you’re careful, you should have no problem. When you’re ready to return, you can either hitch a ride back with one of the fishermen for about 4 euros per person or arrange a pickup with a fisherman at Sougia. You can find their phone numbers all around the port. Alternatively, you can walk back the same way if you’re not tired.

By car:

Head south on Epar.Od. Chanion-Kissamou/EO90 toward Agias Marinas.
Continue on EO90. Take the exit toward Sougia/Paleochora.
Merge onto EO97.
Continue straight onto Epar.Od. Sougias-Palaiochoras.
Turn left after the village Prodromi (look for a small sign).
Park your car in an open area where you can see the bay on your left.
Walk down for about 20 minutes to reach Ancient Lissos.

Please note that the road conditions may vary, so it’s advisable to check the current state of the roads before your trip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ancient Lissos stands as a captivating destination, offering a blend of historical intrigue, natural beauty, and the allure of a lost city waiting to be rediscovered. Whether arriving by foot or by sea, visitors are invited to uncover the secrets of this ancient sanctuary and immerse themselves in the timeless allure of Lissos.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR AN ENJOYABLE VISIT TO Ancient lissos

Timing!

Depending on how you are travelling to Ancient Lissos, it would be best to manage your time, especially in the heat of Summer.

Pack Essentials!

Bring along water and snacks since there are no stores in the nearby area. Stay hydrated and wear sunblock in Summer.

Explore the hidden beauty!

Take your time and explore the ancient ruins. They are fairly distributed in the area so explore at your own pace.

Comfortable clothes!

Either you arrive by car, boat or hiking, make sure to wear comfortable footwear and breathable clothes since the terrain is uneven.

Beach essentials!

After your exploration, you can spend some time at Lissos Beach. Make sure you pack up your swimsuit and a towel.

Respect the site!

The site of Ancient Lissos is open to everyone and free to explore. Make sure you respect the remains of the structures so future explorers have the chance to have the same experience.