Eleutherna

Eleutherna (Greek Modern Greek Ἐλευθέρνα transcription Eleutherna, also plural form Eleuthernai ) was an ancient Greek city on the island of Crete. She lay on the northwestern slope of the Ida mountains near the present village of Eleutherna near the monastery of Arkadi.

The city was supposedly founded by the Curetes; archaeological settlement has been demonstrated since the Late Minoan period. From the history Eleuthernas in the Hellenistic period, some events have survived. 67 BC it was conquered by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus. In late antiquity was Eleutherna seat of a bishop. In the middle of the 5th century under bishop Euphratas a basilica, one of the oldest in Crete arose. In the Diocese of the titular Eleutherna the Roman Catholic Church is declining. The archaeological remains of the city have been recently explored by Petros Themelis.

Near the town is an ancient Kragsteinbrücke get see bridge of Eleutherna.