Zakros Gorge, Archaeological gorge between Ano Zakros and Kato Zakros, Greece
Zakros Gorge is an approximately 8-kilometer-long canyon carved through steep limestone cliffs that connects the mountain village of Ano Zakros to the coastal settlement of Kato Zakros. The trail reveals numerous cave openings along the rock walls and descends from higher elevation to sea level.
The gorge served as a burial site for Minoan people between approximately 1900 and 1450 BCE, when caves along its walls held the dead. This practice extended over many centuries and made this place central to ancient eastern Crete's relationship with death and the afterlife.
The cave entrances dotting the gorge walls were used as burial chambers by Minoan people, showing how they incorporated their dead into the natural rock formations. These burial sites placed between mountains and sea reveal how important this landscape was to their beliefs and daily life.
The hiking trail takes approximately two hours and forms part of the E4 European walking route with marked sections guiding you through. Wear sturdy footwear and bring enough water, as the path is uneven and offers little shade along the way.
During winter months, the normally dry riverbed fills with flowing water, completely changing the hiking conditions and the appearance of stone formations. This seasonal shift reveals how the landscape transforms dramatically depending on the time of year.
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