Dreros, Archaeological site near Neapoli, Crete, Greece
Dreros is an archaeological site spread across two hilltops of Mount Kadistos near Neapoli in Crete. It contains remains of buildings, defensive walls, and a central public plaza from multiple ancient periods.
The settlement began around 1100 BC and was initially inhabited by Eteocretans and Dorians before being abandoned around 220 BC after internal conflicts. These different peoples left their mark on the site's development.
The temple of Apollo Delphinios once held bronze statues depicting Apollo, Artemis, and Leto that visitors can now see in museums. These works show how local artisans expressed religious devotion through their craft.
The site sits roughly 2 kilometers northeast of Neápoli town and is reached via an unpaved track. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the paths are rough and shade is limited.
A central water tank in the agora bears inscriptions of laws written in both Greek and Eteocretan languages. This represents some of the oldest written laws found in the Greek world.
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