Lentas

Lendas or Lentas (Greek Λέντας ( m. sg. ) ) Is a town on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete with about 80 inhabitants. The ( folk) etymology derives the name from the ancient Greek word for lion ( λέων, Leon, accusative λέοντα, leonta → λέοντας Leontas → Lentas ), because in the upstream headland the shape of this animal could be identified.

Traces of settlement can be traced back to the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC in Lendas. Experienced its heyday place in the Greek and Roman era ancient times, when the major port life or Lebena was here. Maybe this port was dependent of Gortyn.

Since the 5th century BC Lendas was famous for its sanctuary of Asklepios. Traces of this sanctuary are still visible today. There was a source, but is dried today. The claim that it had acted as an ancient healing spring, so not true. The ancient Greeks knew the thoughts of healing to drinking water yet, it only comes on at a later time. Water served primarily cultic religious cleansing in such districts.

In the 1980s Lendas was a popular destination for backpackers who came under as tolerated wild campers especially in the west of the village bay. Today, at the same place gives the place Dytiko.

Lendas can be reached every day except Saturday and Sunday with the intercity bus from Heraklion to Matala, which may have to change the bus to Lendas in Agii Deka or Mires.