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Recent Past and Present

Recent Past and Present After the end of World War II, Crete began a reconstruction effort at a time when the rest of Greece was torn apart by the Civil War. Because of this period of peace and the wonderful climate of Crete, the island soon became one of the richest areas of the country. Agricultural products became the power supply of the economy of the island. Nowadays tourism has marked a new era of economic growth on the island. Over the last twenty years several hotels have been built in order to offer accommodation to thousands of tourists, as the mild climate and the diverse beauty of the island attract numerous visitors every year from all over...

Second World War and German occupation

Second World War and German occupation The Cretan people’s desire for independence and their martial tradition came back to the surface in 1940. Crete took part in the war to repel the Italian forces of Mussolini. After Mussolini’s failure, Crete became a target for Hitler’s forces. When Cretan troops were absent, the Germans launched their attack on Crete. The elite German air forces landed using parachutes on 2 May 1941. Only about 30,000 poorly equipped troops of the British army and 22,000 Greek soldiers supported the struggle of the local people to defend their island. The Battle of Crete lasted only ten days, but it caused great damage on both sides. The German occupation lasted about four years, and was characterised by the resistance of the locals. Remnants from the German occupation in Minoan Plain are located in various sites. The most important ones are: The electricity factory of Archangel, the German well in Arkalohori and the German inscriptions at the basilica of St. George at the settlement of...

Independence of Crete and the union with Greece

Independence of Crete and the union with Greece In 1898 a Cretan government was formed on the island. Prince George, the youngest son of King George of Greece was the highest governor. However, most Cretans’ aim remained the union with Greece. This undying revolutionary spirit led to the “Revolution of Therisos” in 1905. Eleftherios Venizelos was the leader of the Revolution. He had previously fought for the Greek independence. The Great Powers withdrew their forces from Crete, the Supreme Commander resigned and elections were held in which Venizelos was the winner. The long-awaited union of Crete with Greece took place in 1913, when under the Treaty of London, Sultan Mohammed II relinquished his formal rights to the...

Turkish Rule in Crete

Hani (Inn) Moulefe Primary School of Patsideros Holm oak of Ismail Pasha Turkish Rule in Crete Crete was under constant Turkish threat during the last years of Venetian rule. At the end of 1648 the Ottoman Emperor controlled the whole Crete except for Heraklion. This particular siege lasted twenty one years. Finally, on September 27, in 1669, Heraklion surrendered to Turkish forces. In 1821, when the Greek Revolution broke out, the Cretan participation was extensive, but without the desired result. The great Cretan Revolution broke out in 1866 by volunteers and reinforcements from liberated Greece. Eventually, after many years of struggles the Great Powers (Britain, France, Italy and Russia) decided that Turkey could no longer maintain control of Crete and intervened. As a result the Turkish forces were expelled in 1898 and the independent Cretan Republic was proclaimed. In the area of Minoan Plain there are few remains that have survived from this period, such as the Hani Moulefe, the first primary school at the settlement of Patsideros and the holm oak of Ismail Pasha at a certain location called “Metohi” at the settlement of...

Venetian Rule

Venetian Rule The Venetian Period started with the conquest of Constantinople by the Franks in 1204 and the concession of Crete to Boniface Monferaticus by the Latin emperor who sold the island to the Venetians in 1210. They settled in 1212 making Heraklion the capital of Crete. The Venetian rule lasted for about four centuries. Despite the initial unbearable oppression, the main feature of the Venetian rule was the cultural development, which resulted in important works in the field of painting, theater, literature and poetry. The development of architecture was also important, with the construction of impressive fortresses, fortifications and public infrastructure. Remnants from this period are found in the Minoan Plain, the most important of which are: • The archaeological site of Kastelliana • The Fortress at Kastelli • The Bridge at Demati • The Venetian fountain at Mousouta • The Venetian Fountain Of Holy Mary • The Venetian fountain at...
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