Minoan Vathypetro on Crete

Minoan Vathypetro is located 5 kilometers south of Archanes on the route to Choudetsi. It dates from the Late Minoan period (around 1580 BC). It was a settlement that extended over three hills. In Vathypetro wine was made and pots were baked. There are also many stone jars (pythoi) found here in which olive oil was stored. Much of the site has been lost over the years, but you can still see for example a mainsion that contains a wine-press. It is thought that there was originally a temple in Vathypetro, and that in the course of time (after an earthquake and a subsequent destruction), the function of the building was changed. One of the suggestions is that there was a summer palace of the king of Archanes, but that is not certain. The site of Vathypetro is open all year round and admission is free.