Leben Archaeological Site (Ancient Levena)
Ancient Levina stood where the village of Lendas sits today, on the south coast of Crete about 74 km south of Heraklion, among the Asterousia Mountains. The site is known for two things: a healing spring on the eastern side of the village, and the temple of Asclepius that grew up around it. Both drew patients to this stretch of coast long before anyone came here for the beach.
Levina also worked as a port. It served Gortys, the leading city of Crete at the time, and it prospered through the Hellenistic and Roman periods on the back of that role.
Where the name Levina comes from
2 explanations are offered for the name Levina, and both are Phoenician. The first traces it to Lavi, meaning lion, and the second to levina, a word for the pale colour of the rocks around the site.
The modern name follows the first of those. Lendas comes from the Greek Leondas, which also means lion, so the village has carried the same idea through two languages.
The lion-shaped cape
A cape near the village is shaped like a lion’s head, and it is the feature the lion names point at. Myth counts it as one of the lions that drew the chariot of the goddess Rhea before they were turned to stone.
The cape is an archaeological site in its own right. A walk of about 15 minutes gets you onto it, and the view from the top is a sunset one.
Minoan graves and Egyptian links
Excavation at Levina has uncovered Minoan graves and a settlement. The finds point to contact with ancient Egypt.
The healing spring and the temple of Asclepius
A therapeutic spring rises to the east of Lendas, and its water had a reputation for curing stomach complaints, blood disorders and a tendency to bleed. That reputation is what built the sanctuary.
A large temple went up in the 4th century, dedicated to Asclepius, the physician god, and to the goddess Hygeia Sotira. It was known for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and psychiatric treatment, and it pulled in patients from as far away as Libya.
What remains on site
Enough of the sanctuary survives to read its layout on the ground. The visible remains are listed below.
- The altar of the temple of Asclepius.
- Two marble pillars.
- The base of the statue of Asclepius.
- Roman bath ruins near the springs.
- A Byzantine church dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos, built later from the temple’s own materials.
Things to do near ancient Levena
5 further stops lie within 10 km of the site, listed here nearest first.
- Swim at the nearest beach. Trafoulas lies 3.3 km from the site, the closest of the local shores.
- Walk a short gorge. Tripiti Gorge is 6.5 km away and comes out at Tripiti beach, 5.2 km from Lendas.
- Visit a mountain monastery. Apezanes Monastery stands 6.1 km inland at Antiskari.
- Try the quieter coves. Platia Peramata is 6.4 km off, Krigi 7.2 km and Katarti 7.5 km.
- Add a second archaeological site. The Koumasa Prepalatial Cemetery lies 9.8 km from Levina.
Getting to ancient Levena
Head for Lendas on the south coast, roughly 74 km south of Heraklion, and the site is at the village. The site lies among the Asterousia Mountains, which make the last part of the drive slow.
Further along the coast there is more to fill a day. Kali Limenes is 10.7 km from the site and Agios Ioannis 12.1 km, Agiofarago sits at the foot of its own gorge 13.3 km away, and Odigitria Monastery near Sivas stands beside the Odigitria Prepalatial Cemetery.
Frequently asked questions
Where is ancient Levena in Crete?
Ancient Levena lies under and around the village of Lendas, about 74 km south of Heraklion on the south coast. The Asterousia Mountains rise behind it, and the site faces the Libyan Sea.
What does the name Levina mean?
Lion, according to the main theory, from the Phoenician word Lavi. A second theory derives the name from the Phoenician levina, describing the pale rocks of the area. The modern name Lendas comes from the Greek Leondas, which also means lion.
What was the temple at Levina for?
It was a healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius and Hygeia Sotira, built in the 4th century. Treatment covered hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and psychiatric care, and patients travelled from as far as Libya to use it.
Is there still a healing spring at Lendas?
The therapeutic spring lies east of the village. Its water was reputed to help with stomach problems, blood disorders and bleeding tendencies, and Roman bath ruins stand near it.
What can you see at the site today?
The altar, two marble pillars and the base of the statue of Asclepius. A Byzantine church dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos was later built from material taken out of the temple, and it stands with the rest.
Which city did Levina serve as a port?
Gortys, the leading city of Crete during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Levina prospered in both periods through that connection, and its earlier Minoan graves show trade links with ancient Egypt.
Location
Leben Archaeological Site (Ancient Levena) is located at Ancient Levena, in the Heraklion region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
