During the Roman times, Lappa was an important city located at the village of Argiroupolis. It held control over the land from the north to the south coast. Present day Loutro, on the south coast of Crete, used to be one of the two harbours of Lappa.

Loutro was called Finix during Roman times and some coins have been found with an image of Poseidon. Although Lappa was destroyed around 830 AD by the Arabs, you can still find many stone buildings and churches in the Village right next to a bit more recent Venetian constructions.


The tranquil village of Argyroupolis is a remarkable area of historic worth and the whole area is outstanding. Situated at the once important ancient Greco-Roman city of Lappa the mountain village is situated not far from Georgioupolis and Kournas lake. The rivers Petre and Mousella flow on either side of the village (see the natural springs at Argiroupolis). Albeit, the fact that most of its precious finds are now in the museums of Rethymnon and Heraklion should not put you off exploring this beautiful village.

This is one of most attractive villages of the whole area and the first stop must be the Avocado shop, opposite the square and the 17th century Venetian church of Ayios Ioannis, the shop distributes a free town map with the sights to see.

The name Lappa was well known from the 4th century B.C. Around 220 A.D. the village prospered and developed to become one of the most important towns of western Crete and was thriving during the Roman era. It controlled the area around it from the north to the south coast. The reason for it destruction is not known, whether by enemies, possibly an earthquake or other theories are some form of epidemic. Lappa most certainly had two big harbours, 'Ydramia', on the Cretan Sea, where now stands today's village of Dramia on the northern coast, and the other at 'Pheonix' on the Libyan Sea, possibly where Loutro is today.

In the second Byzantine era the city was destroyed by the Arabs in 828 A.D. A new town was built on the old site and Lappa was lost, with the new town becoming known in the Middle Ages as 'Stimpolis' 'in the city'. It was taken by storm and almost entirely destroyed by the Romans in 67 B.C.

The emperor Octavian Augustus restored it and, in consideration of the aid rendered to him in his struggle with Mark Anthony, he bestowed on the citizens their freedom, and with it the right of coinage and a water reservoir in 27 B.C. which still supplies the village today. Following this, the town was given many other names. The Turks called it 'Gaidoropoli' 'Donkeytown' or 'Samaropoli' 'Saddletown'. With its new name Argyroupolis taken in 1822 possibly after 'argyro' 'silver' as was mined in the area. Silver and copper coins were made and they had representations of Poseidon on them.


According to the myths, Lappa was created by Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan war. The older coins of the city show the goddess Britomartis Artemis, a Cretan goddess influenced by the Minoan religion. In the Greek wars they were allies of 'Knossos' but when the armies of Knossos destroyed Lyttos the people of Lappa accepted the Lyttoans into their city and welcomed them into their homes.

Lappa by Argiroupolis Lappa by Argiroupolis Lappa by Argiroupolis

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The Municipality of Heraklion or Iraklion, Crete

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The gorge of Platania, Psiloritis mountain

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Agios Fanourios gorge in Venerato

Astritsi gorge or Agios Ioannis in Heraklion Crete

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The Phaistos Disc, archaeological site in Crete

Labyrinth: Knossos and History

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STEGA: The Archaeology of Houses and Households in Ancient Crete

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Underwater archaeology in Crete: Hunt for the ancient mariner

Tripiti Minoan settlement

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