Archaeological Site Of Lato Crete

  Overview:

Lato was one of the most important Doric city-states in Crete, although it must have existed before the “Coming of the Dorians”. It is built on a saddle between two hills, at a site protected by possible attacks but also with a splendid view over a large area of the Mirambello Bay. It is possibly mentioned in the Linear B tablets as RA-TO. It was named after Leto (Lato is the Doric type), mother of Apollo and Artemis, although the main goddess worshipped in the city was Eileithyia, who was also depicted on the coins cut by the city.

Lato was the birth-place of Nearchos, the admiral of Alexander the Great. Before the end of the 3rd century B.C., the inhabitants of Lato participated in the League of the Cretan cities and shared the same laws. Lato made many alliances with Rhodes, Teos, and king Eumenes of Pergamon. However, it was in continuous conflict with the neighbouring city of Olous, for the arrangement of the borders between them. The harbour of the city was Lato towards Kamara (modern Aghios Nikolaos), which was so flourishing by the middle of the 2nd century A.D. that the administrative centre was transferred there and Lato was subsequently abandoned.

  Address:

Lato

 Location:

Kritsa, Mirambello Lasithi

  Telephone:

(+30) 2841022462

  Fax:

(+30) 2841025115

  E-mail:

[email protected]

 Url:

www.culture.gr

  Operating Period:

JAN-DEC

  Operating Days & Hours:

Winter period (1st of November – 31st of March):
08:30 – 15:30

Summer period (1st of April – 31st of October):
08:30 – 15:30

Tuesday: closed

  Admission Fee:

• Full: €3, Reduced: €2

  Notes:

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* The above information, are subject to change without prior notification from the institution. In any case, visitcrete.com has no responsibilities for any occurred changes.