Therisos gorge, Natural gorge near Chania, Greece.
The Theriso Gorge extends six kilometers through vertical rock faces covered with Mediterranean vegetation in the heart of the White Mountains.
In 1905, Eleftherios Venizelos led an uprising from this location to free Crete from Ottoman rule and unite it with Greece.
The village of Theriso, located at 580 meters altitude, stands as a symbol of Cretan resistance and the struggle for national independence.
A paved road runs entirely through the gorge, allowing visitors to drive from Chania to the village of Theriso.
The gorge contains endemic species like the Podarcis cretensis lizard and Zamenis situla snake, protected under the Natura 2000 network.
Address: Vasiliou Poulaka, Perivolia 731 00, Greece
GPS coordinates: 35.44602,23.99652
Latest update: March 3, 2025 02:43
Crete combines remnants of ancient civilizations with striking natural landscapes along its 650 mile (1,050 km) coastline. The island offers photographers a mix of archaeological sites like the Minoan palace at Knossos and historic settlements such as the Venetian harbor districts of Chania and Rethymno. Coastal formations range from the pink sand beaches of Elafonisi to the turquoise lagoon at Balos and the palm groves at Preveli and Vai. Mountain ranges in the interior contain gorges like Samaria and Aradena, along with remote villages such as Kritsa and Margarites where traditional ways of life continue.
This selection highlights Crete locations away from common routes. It includes historic sites such as the Venetian fortress of Spinalonga, occupied by a leper colony until 1957, and the ruins of the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros on the eastern coast. Notable geological formations include the Kourtaliotiko gorges with 600-meter limestone walls, the Aradena bridge suspended 138 meters above the void, and the Dikteon cave, extending over two kilometers into Mount Dikte. Nature enthusiasts can explore the small bay of Seitan Limania between its white cliffs, the Argiroupoli springs bursting amidst Roman ruins, or take trails through the Theriso gorges. These destinations offer a different view of Crete, away from the tourist crowds along the northern coastline.
Perivolia Municipal Stadium
4.6 km
Presentation of the Virgin Mary Cathedral
8 km
Assumption Cathedral, Chania
8 km
Dimotiki Agora Chanion
7.9 km
Museum of Typography
7.4 km
Chrysopigi monastery, Chania
5.9 km
School Life Museum
5.2 km
Church of Agios Georgios
7.7 km
Palaiochristianikos Naos Panagias, Agia Kydonias
7.2 km
Statue of Anagnostia Mantakas, Chania
7.9 km
Hammam in Halides street, Chania
8 km
Dormition of the Mother of God church
4.9 km
Holy Apostles church
7.9 km
Ag. Apostoloi 2
7.7 km
Saint George church
4.7 km
Statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, Chania
7.8 km
Keritis river bridge, Alikiano
7.1 km
Historical Archives of Crete
7.6 km
Ag. Apostoloi 1
7.7 km
Tower of Da Molin
7.7 km
Bust of Nikolaos Tomadakis, Chania
8 km
Statue of Patriarch Athinagoras, Chania
7.9 km
House of Eleftherios Venizelos, Mournies
4.3 km
Metochi Isychaki
7.8 km
Italikos Stratonas (Stratopedo Tzombanaki)
7.7 km
Courthouse of Chania
7.7 km
Venizelos headquarters, Therissos
4.7 km
Fountain of the Mevlevis, Chania
7.7 kmReviews
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