Pressos Archaeological Site

Praesus (now known as Pressos) stood atop three hills, approximately 13km south of Sitia and a mere 2km from today’s Nea Pressos, formerly Vaveli. Established by the Eteocretans, who fled the Minoan cities after the Dorian invasion around 1100 BC, they settled in Crete’s secluded regions. Two ports served Praesus, one near Sitia (Etea) and another on the southern coast (Stales).

Initially, the Eteocretans maintained their Minoan traditions, language, and religious practices. Archaeological finds here include inscriptions in the Minoan language using Greek characters, offering significant insights into deciphering the Minoan language. Over time, the city adopted a democratic constitution, akin to the Dorian city-states.

All its hills functioned as strongholds, with the tallest encircled by a defensive wall and remnants of a grand mansion. One hill reveals traces of an altar and various artefacts from sacrificial rites. Remarkably, an athlete’s tomb was discovered here, along with possible Panathenaic Game awards.

As a dominant Cretan city, Praesus minted its own coins bearing various icons like Hercules and Zeus. The city vied with Itanos and Ierapytna for control over Palekastro’s Zeus temple and Koufonissi island. However, by 155 BC, Ierapytna overpowered and razed Praesus, leading its inhabitants to retreat to the Etea port and establish New Praesus.

Italian archaeologists Halbherr and Mariani initiated the site’s excavations in the 1880s. Presently, visitors can explore a sprawling archaeological area dotted with ancient churches, temples, fortifications, and more.