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Garazo - Anogia

Ancient Aksos

Ancient Aksos

In the area of the village today known as Aksos, there was the ancient city Oaksos, one of the most significant cities of ancient Crete that bloomed from the late Minoan to the geometric and roman era. The archeological excavations brought to light rich findings of the ancient city such as the Temple of Afroditi, the Deanery, tombs and a variety of architectural relics. The wall of the acropolis must have been very impressive, sections of which are visible even today at the peak of the hill. The Italian School of Archeology embarked on an excavation research in 1899, bringing to light a variety of findings such as Minoan shells, stone vessels, inscriptions and many god figures representing a naked female figure that is said to be the Goddess of Fertility. The remains of buildings of the Classical era were also found, on top of which other buildings, mainly Byzantine churches, were build. The city continued to bloom not only during the Roman era but also during the Byzantine era, during which it was the center of the episcopate with a plethora of churches. At Livada site, north-east of the village, the remains of an ancient facility were brought to light, a fact that indicates the size of ancient Aksos.  The city was rich and powerful. It had its own coins that represented the head of God Apollo or the Goddess Artemis. It had its own coins even during the Roman era. East of the village, on the road to Iraklio, in the middle of a deep valley, there are the remains of a wall known as "Teichio ts'Aksos" (Wall of Aksos) with a height of 8 m. It is believed to be part of the reservoir that transferred water from Skafidia fountain to the reservoir of Aksos, covering a distance of 3 klm. There are also brought to light god figures, copper miters, shells as well as a marble statue of Goddess Dimitra.

On the hill that lies on top of the village, there are the remains of the ancient acropolis called "To Andreion", the temple of Afroditi Astartis, the Cyclopeian walls and the remains of many buildings. Segments from scripts, possibly regulations, were found carved in gigantic stones.

Sources:

Committee for the Promotion of Touris

Municipality of Kouloukonas