Phalasarna
Phalasarna (Greek Φαλάσαρνα ( f sg ) ) denotes a port city of antiquity on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete. The excavations of the ancient city are located about eight kilometers west of the city of Kissamos.
Today's settlement Falasarna is located south of the ruins of Phalasarna along the coast of the Bay of Livadia. It belongs to Platanos in the municipality of Kissamos. Main source of income of the local Cretans is agriculture, so there are countless greenhouses where tomatoes mainly, but also bananas are drawn, and tourism. Of tourist interest are the long sandy beaches with their caused by uplift of the seafloor bizarre rock formations, as well as the remains of the harbor, village and temples of ancient Phalasarna.
History
The historic Phalasarna on the north west coast of Crete was BC founded as a port city in the inland town Polyrrhenia around the 5th century and named after the nymph Phalasarna. Built on the Cape Koutri Acropolis (Upper city) with the Temple of Artemis Dictynna was protected on the land side by a wall with square bastions. The city wall is preserved to a height of eight meters. In the valley before the wall was the necropolis of the city. There excavations brought box tombs dating from the 6th century BC to the end of the 4th century BC, with rich grave goods to days. South of the actual archaeological sites is a carved stone " throne ", whose function is unclear. Nearby, to the west of the throne, is located in an olive grove, a sarcophagus.
Phalasarna had a closed artificial naval port in ancient times Kóthon ( high, bulbous jug ) called, which was connected by a channel to the west with the sea. It was carved out in the dimensions of 100 x 75 meters from the coastal rocks. A second channel enabled the exit 100 meters behind the north side of the Acropolis. As fortification of the harbor had four towers dating from the 4th century BC, which are partly preserved. Through a large earthquake on July 21, 365 AD and associated uplift of the land mass at Phalasarna six to nine meters of the harbor basin was drained.
During the Hellenistic period was Phalasarna with its sheltered harbor a rich trade and shipping center with its own fleet and coinage. On the coins of the city of a female figure or two dolphins on the one hand, and a trident with the letters " Φ Α " are shown on the other side. In the 3rd century BC Phalasarna was allied as an important trading post with the Ptolemies and controlled the sea west of the island. However, the main source of income of the polis was the piracy. In 184 BC it was conquered by the city of Cydonia. Serious damage to the buildings it came in 67 BC during the conquest of Crete by the Romans, who consolidated their takeover of power by destroying pirate bases. As a result of tectonic uplift in the 4th century AD and the associated siltation of the harbor of the city was deprived of the economic base.
- Excavations
- Masonry
- Harbor Tower
- Pans
- Cistern