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Pitsidia
Pitsidia village in Heraklion is located in the southwest end of the valley of Messara in Heraklion, Crete. The village with about 700 residents is the capital of the community Pitsidia-Matala. The locals are known for their longevity, which, as they say, is due to the temperate climate of the area. Pitsidia is the oldest village in the region and it is blessed with many gifts.
It is characterized by the particular morphology of the territory and the mountains and hills planted with thousands of beautiful flowers, shrubs, herbs and fruit trees that make it wonderful all the seasons. Pitsidia village in Heraklion is an ideal choice for your summer vacation, since it combines calmness and relaxation with great mountain and sea views.
The archaeological site of Kommos is located on the beach of Kommos, 4km west of Phaestus, at the area of the villagePitsidia and close to Matala beach. Kommos (or Komos) was a small Minoan town founded in 2000 BC and served the port needs of Phaestus, with which it was linked by road. Kommos was probably destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 BC, but survived up to the Hellenistic period.
Around the area of Pitsidia it is worth to visit archaeological sites such as the Palace of Phaistos, the archaeological excavations in Kommos, the Minoan villa in Trinity village, the local market (bazaar) in Mires, the Ethnological Museum in the village Voroi and the ruins of ancient Gortyn.
Pitsidia have kept hospitality, calm and warm environment while steadily growing over time. In the narrow streets of the village you will find many souvenir shops and picturesque traditional taverns and cafes offering tasteful Cretan dishes, Greek coffee and traditional products such as oil, wine, raki etc. The agriculture remains the main source of the locals’ income, with these products to dominate the crop.
Sightseeing
It is only four kilometers from the famous Matala and you will need 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot to reach the beautiful sandy beach of Kommos. Opposite the village, Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete which is sometimes snowy and sometimes not, will make the visitors feel awe and admiration with its magnificence.
