Crete - Greece - page 852

the oldest law code in the Greek world. In mythology, the evergreen plane tree just
north of here was Zeus and Europa's 'love nest'.
Most of the major Roman structures are spread over a vast area south of the
highway and are therefore not as easy to locate. Look for road signs pointing to the
Temple of Apollo , the main sanctuary of pre-Roman Gortyna. East of here is the
2nd-century-AD Praetorium , which was the Roman governor's residence, a
Nymphaeum (public bath) and an amphitheatre.
Gortyna is 46km southwest of Iraklio and 15km east of Phaestos. Buses between
Iraklio and Matala can drop you off.
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MatalaΜάταλα
POP 300
In mythology Matala ( ma -ta-la) is the place where Zeus swam ashore with the kidnapped
Europa on his back before dragging her off to Gortyna and getting her pregnant with the
future King Minos. In more recent times, Matala earned legacy status thanks to the
scores of hippies flocking here in the late 1960s to take up rent-free residence in cliffside
caves. Joni Mitchell famously immortalised the era in her song 'Carey'. Since 2011, tens
of thousands of revelers come in July to celebrate the peace and love spirit during the
Matala Beach Festival ( www.matalabeachfestival.com ) . On normal summer days, though,
the village feels anything but peaceful thanks to coachloads of day trippers. Stay
overnight or visit in the off-season, though, and it's still possible to discern the Matala
magic: the setting along a crescent-shaped bay flanked by headlands is simply spectacu-
lar.
Sights & Activities
Matala's sightseeing credentials are limited to the famous 'hippie' caves (admission €2;
10am-5pm Apr-Sep) that actually date back to neolithic times and were used as tombs
by the Romans. To escape the main beach crowds in summer, embark on a 30-minute
scramble over the rocks to clothing-optional Red Beach (bring snacks and water) or
head to Kommos Beach about 2km north of Matala, home to two tavernas.
Sleeping