Skales

Descending the pine forest of Peykoselioy found in Makrigialos, one of the most popular summer resorts in Crete. Makris Gialos, gets its name from the large sandy beaches, which each year enjoy thousands of locals and foreign visitors.
The later history of the record as a small fishing village with few inhabitants which served as a hub for agricultural products and animals, but the perfect natural landscape was to decisively change the identity of the area. The current population is 760 inhabitants.

The large tourist investments began the 1980s highlighted the quality of Makrigialos and converted it into an ideal summer destination. The golden sand, shallow and awarded with Blue Flag beaches waters of Makrigialos, full and multidimensional coverage of services offered, people have identified the site as appropriate family destination and not only.
H nodal position between Ierapetra and sitia recommends the Makrigialos ideal for alternative tourism activities in Eastern Crete, while the mild climate attracts mainly northern Europeans citizens to buy land and houses. The small and picturesque Harbor fueling the taverns with fresh fish while in the summer months there are daily excursions to gaidouronisi and koufonisi
The value of the area of Makris Gialos seems appreciated since ancient times, and the ruins of the Minoan Villa, (miniature of the Palace of Knossos) dating back to 1500 b.c. is the best witness.
In the area is also the great age of easily Villa which dates back to between the 1st BC and the 3rd century AD and in which it is believed that it remained a Roman centurion, who supervised crops marine snails for the production of valuable then purple.

Makri Gialos Beach is 35 km far from Sitia and 29 from Ierapetra. The name Makri Gialos means "long beach", which indeed it is the long sandy beach with crystal clear, shallow waters, is perfect for children and non-swimmers, and further out for more experienced swimmers. At the eastern side and very close to Makrigialos main beach you can walk to the beautiful Mikri Poli beaches. 

The beach is lined with a good variety of tavernas to suit all tastes, the fishing port being the most picturesque part of the village.

  From the port, there is a boat which leaves each morning for the beautiful island of Koufonisi, returning late afternoon. Makri Gialos has a very good suply of shops, tavernas and watersport facilities and attracts visitors of all ages. From Makri Gialos you can visit also Monastery of Kapsa and the impressive gorges of Pervolakia, Orino and Pefki.

The excavations brought to light a minoan villa. In the same region a villa from the Roman period has been excavated.

Shallow beach with golden sand and blue waters, sheltered and organized, is an ideal family destination

Life in Roman Villa in Makri Gialos lasted about three centuries. From 1st BC to the 3rd AD. Its long occupation is documenting its importance and also the wealth of the region, both the agricultural sector and the navy. The building ground was covered with tiles, and the 37 rooms and spaces were developed around an oblong courtyard.

Although it was found in bad shape indicative of the luxurious flooring and walls of some rooms with marble slabs, like the mosaic entrance floor where black and white pebbles where forming geometric surrounded by ivy leaves.

The cherished to Roman world baths were discovered in the south wing of the villa. It includes an outdoor horseshoe pool, in cathode scale lined with marble surrounded by areas with mosaics depicting geometric patterns with circles, while close the characteristic hypocaust with 56 cyoniscs was also found. Water channeled from tanks to the baths with a closed and pipelined system.

Minoan villa at Makri Gialos was founded in a fertile plain, east of Ierapetra and close to the sea, controlling the agricultural production and shipping. Its wealth lies in its construction, which is the epitome of royal architecture during Late Minoan Period (1500-1450 BC).

The building apartments organize around the central courtyard. In the northern part an M shape built construction was found, perhaps altar, while both north and northeast side developed arcades.
It also contains western courtyard and west facade with carved stonework and worship places. The rooms are meticulously manufactured with paved floors and walls coated with plaster. Of these findings, important are the clay and stone vessels, the idols, and the seal of stearin with ship sacred performances, priestess and sacred tree that probably testifies the building’s religious character.

Thirty kilometers east of ierapetra, is the municipal unit of San Stefano that besides the picturesque village includes the popular tourist resort of makrigialos. The settlement's Population is 131 inhabitants (census 2011), 305 inhabitants (census of 1583). 

Built on a hill in 453 m altitude the picturesque village of Agios Stefanos is a prime example of mountain culture of the Cretan people. Its privileged location offers unique views of the Libyan Sea and the mountains of Thryptis while less than six kilometres inhabitants and visitors can enjoy the popular beaches of Makris Gialos.

The older will remember the settlement with the name ' Old ' name for the origin, there are different interpretations, with most believing the present name owes to the impressive church of Saint Stephen, who is known for its distinctive architecture, the Interior and exterior decoration. This is the main reference point of the village, with the small square on the side of to gather in cafes of the villagers. Agios Stefanos distinguishes for its dense building and winding cobblestone streets. Somewhere in there you will find the Kimeri, the old (and now restored) source of the village with the characteristic arch, in troughs which women washed their clothes seasons that the water had not reached even in homes of the village.

On the rough and steep hill at the top of the village, once stood the ' Kastelos "or" Fortezza ". A, ruined, Venetian fortress which is believed to have been built on the foundations of the Citadel, probably of geometric times, and according to the legends of the village was devastated by the raids of the notorious pirate Blackbeard. Although the area does not have become systematic excavations, findings suggest that inhabited from the 9th century BC. Due to the increasing tourism development of makrigialos launched the Decade of the 80 's, many villagers of Agios Stefanos fled the region moving in more "fertile" seafood lands, though nowadays Aghios Stefanos is a mountainous village that comes rapidly. Main cause is-re-discovery of the beauty of the village of tourists who flooded every summer around coastal areas. Dozens of foreigners--mainly northern Europeans-who appreciated the special charm of the area and the mild climate, buying homes and land, moving either occasionally or permanently in Agios Stefanos, giving a more vivid color to the area. The summers the population more than doubled and the area comes alive.

The cafes in the area host all sorts of events from parts of haggling the day up nights learning lyre and bouzouki for foreigners in the region. A characteristic example is Philippe from Belgium, who once traveled in search of Crete, came to stay permanently in Agios Stefanos to erect its own small Observatory, which everyone now can enjoy the starry sky throughout the year.

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