An arched doorway in the ruins of the city of Aptera in northern Crete.
Aptera is an ancient ruined city western Crete, close to Chania and the Akrotiri peninsula. The site is situated above and to the south of Souda Bay. The site is referred to in Linear B tablets dating from around the 13th century and may have been occupied prior to this time. Aptera was under Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman occupation. The city has well-preserved ruins despite being heavily damaged in the 7th century. A more recent monastery complex on the site, dating from the 12th century, houses a small exhibition with presentation boards relating to the city and the archaeological excavations that have been undertaken. Within the site there are ruined temple buildings from the 5th century BC, a large three-vaulted Roman that was used to store water in the largely arid hilltop location and retains its original brickwork and roofs. An amphitheatre represents one of the more impressive ruins and is situated near a Roman peristyle villa.
Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Aptera, Kalives, Chania, Crete, Greece
Photo credit: © Chris Stevenson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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