East Chiona

At the Peak of Petsofas Hill to the east of Palekastro is the Minoan Peak Temple by the same name. 

Petsofas is the archaeological site of a Minoan peak sanctuary  in Palekastro, Sitia region in eastern Crete. Among the ubiquitous human and animal figurines found in peak sanctuaries, Petsofas uniquely has clay figurines of weasels and tortoises. 

Some Petsophas cylinder seals bear a male figure resembling specimens recovered at the Minoan site of Knossos. Stone lamps, ceramic altars and ceramic building models have also been found at Petsofas.

On the coastal zone of Chiona beach in Palekastro there is a minor salt marsh, which composes a small seawater lake behind the beach, with significant aquatic ecosystems.

Natural coastal wetland. It is a seasonal salt pond with sandy substrate which receives fresh water from the surface runoff and the water table. Salty water enters the wetland through the winter wave from a communication channel in the southeastern part. One sandy forehead seperates the flooded area from the beach and the sea, trapping the water in the pond during the winter months.

Size: 23.000 square meters.

Loocated within the limits of a NATURA zone.

Chiona's wetland has significant ornithological importance as a rest area for the migratory birds. A big number of birds has been observed in the area during the winter and the springs months