Lato, Kritsa, Greece - SpottingHistory

Lato was an ancient city of Crete, the ruins of which are located approximately 3 km from the small town of Kritsa. The Dorian city-state was built in a defensible position overlooking Mirabello Bay between two peaks, both of which became acropolises to the city. Although the city probably predates the arrival of the Dorians, the ruins date mainly from the Dorian period (5th and 4th centuries BCE). The city was destroyed c. 200 BCE, but its port, located near Agios Nikolaos, was in use during Roman rule. This has led to the confusion, repeated by Stephanus of Byzantium quoting Xenion, a Cretan historian, that Kamara and Lato were one and the same. Modern scholarship distinguishes the two.

Lato also minted coins in antiquity, bearing the likeness of the goddess Eileithyia who appears to have been the one particularly worshipped at Lato. Nearchus, admiral of Alexander the Great, was born at Lato.

References:

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User Reviews

Spyros Michalo (7 years ago)
Great place to be. Strategic built ancient acropol in rich land around. Shame for greek lanquage goverments because they dont care to boost these places in uper level for a visitor

Dr. Ian Smith (7 years ago)
Dorian city-state, so therefore not as old as the Minoan ruins elsewhere on Crete. But the views are just fabulous - looking down to the coast and Agios Nikolaos on one side, the olive groves on another, and the mountains to the south. You must take a look.

Gianluca Cantoro (7 years ago)
Wonderful site in a wonderful environment. Visitors should take guide-book to get prepared and understand because panels are too few unfortunately.

Maggie Behindtheriver (7 years ago)
Great archeological site, worth a visit! Only 2 euro (normal ticket) and free for students :)

Rafał Błaczkowski (7 years ago)
Very very nice place! I recommend to visit this, especially due to marvelous views, mountains and so pretty, clean and real ancient town.

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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

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