Settlements

Traditional villages of Amari are built mainly in the mountainsides and in the hills of the area. These villages are usually densely built-up, having houses that close to each other thus, communication between them via the terrace was very easy. The village center was usually the church or some communal fountain, where the social life of community was being developed. Local folk traditional architecture has its roots back to the beginnings of the island’s history. In addition , the timeless elements of Cretan civilization are depicted in the urban planning and the architecture of many small and bigger communities of the surrounding area of Amari . Also, a large number of these settlements is located in ancient places and shows signs of every phase of the local history. At the same time, architectural features and monuments which are connected to the traditional productive activities of the area and to the constitution of the natural landscape are dotted in the area. Such features are traditional fountains, stone bridges, threshing floors, mitata etc that when combined with the settlements establish a precious and united man-made environment. Visitor can find infrastructures of accommodation and traditional food in many of these settlements. It’s sure that he will come in contact everywhere with the traditional Cretan hospitality.