Elounda. This is a world renowned tourism resort located to the north of Aghios Nikolaos, having an indented coastline and a beautiful beach, other shaded beaches, crystal clear seas, and a tranquil and heavenly environment. It is 10km distance from Aghios Nikolaos, and the cutting along the side of the road affords you the opportunity to admire the spectacular view of Mirambello Gulf and Korfos. The village is built on the southern coast of the Gulf of Elounda, 1km east of the ancient settlement of Olounda, from which it has taken its name. This used to be the favored place of legendary figures from Minoan Crete and of historical figures of our times.

The four villages of Elounda are spread out along the lower slopes of the approach to the Massif.
Pano and Kato Elounda, Mavrikiano and the new settlement of Skisma, the port of Elounda, bask in the glorious sea as it opens up before them offering its beauty and charm.

This sea, as described by Mr. Anestis Makridakis, glows like a sapphire under the azure light of the sky, rose-hued in summer afternoons, silvered on moonlit nights. It is a sea whose light infuses you gently but swiftly, having the power to touch you emotionally. To float in this sea, or to observe it from further away is like dreaming with open eyes.

This peaceful sea was used as a stop-over and refueling point during the period between both world wars by the UK’s Imperial Hydroplane Service The divine creator, in joyous and happy time of inspiration and joviality, did not skimp here with the colors, the lines or the boldness of combinations, giving a magical impression to the landscape. Here, lovers of the art of cinema, of the graphic arts, of music and poetry find an exceptional sight.

Elounda images:

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Venetian period
In 1210, the Venetians occupied the island. The first mention of the name Elounda is found on a document from 1376. The Venetians operated the salt mines, and under threat of danger from the Turks, rebuilt the fortress of Spinalonga in 1579.
Many churches were erected during the latter Venetian occupation: Analipsis, Aghios Georgios in Katevati, the church of The Virgin Mary in Druvalia, Aghios Paraskevi in Tsifliki and Aghios Marinas in Plaka.

Turkish domination
In 1669, the Turks captured the town of Handakas and became the rulers of Crete. Spinalonga would resist for 46 years more, until 1715 when the Turks took it. Here, revolutionaries found a refuge, and because of that event, the Turks forbade the expansion in the wider area of Spinalonga. This prohibition, as well as fear of pirates, caused the inhabitants who stayed in the small cattle settlements there to be extremely cautious.

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The habitation of the settlements of Pano and Kato Elounda, and Mavrikiano began to be regularized in the middle of the 18th century. We are informed by the traveler Pasley that in 1834, Elounda had 40 families, and that most of them came from Fouvni.
Elounda was burned down in 1823 by Hasan Pasha. The inhabitants played an active role in the revolt to overthrow the Turks, as did the cutting off of the fortress of Spinalonga. The contribution and sacrifices of the Eloundians for the liberation of Hirrus, Macedonia and Thrace were significant.

In Elounda today there are 2,200 inhabitants in six settlements, the majority of whom live in Skisma, and are involved in the tourism business. An event which played an important role in the promotion of Elounda was the filming there of the Disney film "The Fringes of the Moon", in 1964. It is from this time that tourism commenced, but at a gentle pace.

The major push in the development of the tourism industry began with the arrival of Eleni Nakou and the brothers Spiros and George Kokotos. In 1969, the construction of the luxury hotel, The Elounda Beach, started. This was followed by the building of the Asteras, The Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda, The Elounda Peninsula and The Elounda Rock hotels. These luxury hotels annually accommodate prominent representatives of the world’s social, economic and political life.

The people of Elounda, working in cooperation, have brought their athletic and cultural associations to the highest levels. The Development Association of Elounda has been in operation since 1975, and does valuable work on the promotion of the local culture of the area. There is a Cretan Dance and Musical Instrument School, and Eloundans successfully organize a Traditional Fish Festival that takes place in Pano Elounda, and since 1998, a concert in Spinalonga where popular Greek artists perform. Since 1992, the important promotional newspaper "Elounda" has been published.

The Athletic Association "Korfos Elounda" was founded in 1979 and plays a leading part in recent years in Lassithi football, gaining many distinctions.

Elounda - Plaka - Agios Nikolaos region gallery:

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Analipsi Beach in Heraklion, north Crete

Pachia Ammos Beach, Ierapetra, east Crete

Istron Bay Beach, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Kladisos beach in Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, Crete

Vathi Beach, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, east Crete

Anissaras Beaches in Heraklion, north Crete

Psaromoura beach in Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, Crete

Avlaki Sissi Beach, Mirambelo east Crete

Pera Galini Beach in Rethimno, Crete

Kolokitha or Kolokytha beach in Elounda

Almirida Beach in Rethimno, Crete

Agia Pelagia Beach in Heraklion, Crete

Amnisos or Amnissos Beach by Karteros area, Heraklion Crete

Skepasti Beach in Rethimno, Crete

Gouves Beach in Heraklion, north Crete

Bali Village and Beach, Rethimno, Central Crete

Kalamaki coastal village by South Crete - Mesara

Moires or Mires, south Crete. Messara

Archanes in Heraklion, Central Crete

Old Hersonisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Chersonisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Gournes Village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Tylissos or Tilisos in Heraklion, Central Crete

Panormo Village and Beach, Rethimno, Central Crete

Timbaki, Messara South Central Crete

Kali Limenes Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Tsoutsouros in Heraklion, South Central Crete

Tris Ekklisies Village in South Crete, Heraklion

Kokini Hani village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Heraklion City, Crete

Kotsifou Gorge in Plakias, south Crete

Selinari gorge in Heraklion Crete

Kounaviano gorge in Heraklion Crete

Keratokambos or Portela Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Kavoussi Gorge in Keratokambos

Skaloti Gorge in Fragokastelo, South Crete

Mintris gorge in Tsoutsouros Crete

Arvi Gorge in south Crete Heraklion

Agiofarago in south Crete Matala - Lendas area

Preveli Gorge in Rethimno, South Crete

The gorge of Vorizia

The gorge of Platania, Psiloritis mountain

Agios Vasilios gorge in Rethimno

Tripiti gorge in Lentas south Crete. Lendas area

Agios Antonios gorge by Asites

STEGA: The Archaeology of Houses and Households in Ancient Crete

Prinias ancient acropolis

The Fortress of Monopari, Rethimno, Crete

Underwater archaeology in Crete: Hunt for the ancient mariner

Pre-historic settlement of Kastelli Heraklion

Amnisos, Amnissos Amnisus archaeological site

Agia Triada archaeological site in Crete

Smari Acropolis in Kastelli Heraklion

Mansion of Niros in Gouves, archaeological site

Visit Knossos, Archanes, Gortys, Phaistos, Matala, Anogia, Zoniana Cave and Koutouloufari

Malia minoan Palace archaeological site in Central Crete

Knossos archaeological site on Crete, Heraklion

Phestos or Phaistos-Festos archaeological site in Crete

The Hermitages of Agios Efthimios and of Agios Methodios in Zaros - Nivritos

Lyttos or Littos archaeological site in Kasteli Heraklion

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