Ancient Lissos
Ancient Lissos is a ruined town in a small valley on the south coast of Crete, between Sougia and Paleochora. Lissos, also written Lisos, served as the seaport for Elyros. Sougia stands on the site of ancient Syia, 2.3 km from the ruins.
The town prospered from the Hellenistic period until the 9th century, when the Saracens destroyed it. Statues and coins found in the valley show it was one of the most powerful towns in Crete.
The Asclepion, the healing sanctuary of Lissos
Lissos was known across the island for its Asclepion, the sanctuary where patients came to be healed by the thermal baths. People travelled here from all over Crete for that treatment.
The mosaic floors of the temple of Asclepius survive, decorated with animal and geometric shapes, even though an earthquake destroyed the building. Inscriptions of laws and resolutions are still readable on the walls. Numerous marble statues of children were found in the sanctuary, and the main statues, of Hygeia the goddess of health, of Asclepius and of Pluto, are held in the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
What survives in the valley
Ancient ruins are scattered the length of the valley, among them pillars, building bases and marble fragments. Five structures stand out from the rest.
- The Roman necropolis holds vaulted tombs.
- The Roman theatre, or odeon, survives in ruin.
- The baths near the spring supplied the water used in Asklepion therapies.
- The ancient pier was raised out of the water by the earthquake of 365 AD.
- A building called Customs stands above the beach.
The churches of Lissos
Three churches stand among the ruins. The church of Panagia is the one closest to the ancient port and the pebble beach, built on the site of an early Christian church of the 4th and 5th centuries AD, with architectural pieces from it embedded in the walls. A second church of Panagia stands a few metres to the north.
The church of Saint Kirikos stands near the odeon and celebrates its feast on 15 July. Dozens of pilgrims come to Lissos for it and stay overnight to take part.
How to reach ancient Lissos
Four routes lead into Lissos, and none of them is a paved road to the site. Take whichever suits the walking you want to do.
- Walk the E4 path from Paleochora, 9.7 km from the site.
- Walk the gorge of Lissos, which starts from Sougia, 2.3 km away.
- Take the boat from Sougia or Paleochora, which drops passengers at the beach of Agios Kirkos.
- Drive the dirt road in from Prodromi.
What to see near ancient Lissos
The south coast around Lissos is gorge country, with Sougia and Paleochora as the two bases at either end. These are the places we cover closest to the site, nearest first.
- Lissos beach lies 0.2 km away, the pebble shore below the ruins.
- Sougia beach lies 2.3 km away.
- Sougia village lies 2.3 km away, ancient Syia, and one of the two boat departure points.
- Ancient Elyros lies 5.6 km away, the city Lissos served as a port.
- Paleochora lies 9.7 km away, at the far end of the E4 path.
- Things to do in Paleochora covers that town in full.
- Tripiti Gorge lies 10.1 km away.
- Agia Irini Gorge lies 10.6 km away.
- Fygou Gorge lies 10.8 km away.
- Domata beach lies 11.3 km away.
- Karavopetra coves lie 12.3 km away, near Paleochora.
- Kandanos Gorge lies 12.5 km away.
- Pelekaniotis Gorge lies 13.1 km away.
- Klados Gorge lies 13.2 km away.
- Grammeno beaches lie 13.7 km away, near Paleochora.
- Samaria Gorge lies 13.9 km away.
Frequently asked questions
Where is ancient Lissos?
Ancient Lissos lies in a small valley on the south coast of Crete, between Sougia and Paleochora. Sougia, which stands on the site of ancient Syia, is 2.3 km away and Paleochora 9.7 km.
How do you get to ancient Lissos?
Walk in on the E4 path from Paleochora, walk the gorge of Lissos from Sougia, take a boat from either town, or drive the dirt road from Prodromi. The boats drop passengers at the beach of Agios Kirkos.
What was the Asclepion at Lissos?
The Asclepion was a healing sanctuary where patients came from across Crete to be treated by the thermal baths. Its mosaic floors, with animal and geometric shapes, are still visible, and inscriptions of laws and resolutions survive on the walls.
Where are the statues from Lissos kept?
The main statues are in the Archaeological Museum of Chania, among them Hygeia, Asclepius and Pluto. Numerous marble statues of children were also found at the site.
Which city did Lissos serve?
Lissos was the seaport of Elyros, 5.6 km away. The town thrived from the Hellenistic period until the Saracens destroyed it in the 9th century.
When is the feast of Saint Kirikos at Lissos?
The church of Saint Kirikos celebrates on 15 July. Dozens of pilgrims travel to Lissos for it and stay overnight. The church stands near the ruined odeon.
Location
Ancient Lissos is located at Ancient Lissos, in the Chania region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
