Aptera, Greece

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Map of Aptera.

Aptera is a site in western Crete, a kilometer inland from the southern shore of Souda Bay, about 8 kilometers east of Chania. It is mentioned (A-pa-ta-wa) in Linear B tablets from the 14th-13th centuries BCE. With its highly fortunate geographical situation, the city-state was powerful from Minoan through Hellenistic times, when it gradually declined. It was destroyed by earthquake during the 7th century. By the 12th century, a monastery of St. John Theologos had been built on the site; it continued in operation until 1964. The site is now maintained by the Greek Ministry of Culture, Department of Antiquities. ^[1] The hilltop, about 150 meters above the sea, commands views of Souda Bay and the Akrotiri Peninsula to the north, the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) to the south, and Kalives and the Turkish Itzendin Castle to the east; Chania is not quite visible to the west.

Several structures within the monastery enclosure are in excellent condition, including a chapel and a two-story block of cells. The surrounding site is notable for a two-part temple from the 5th century BC, a large three-vaulted Roman cistern, Roman baths, and parts of several Doric temples. An ancient theater is being excavated but is not open to visitors.