map of Crete Many villages and towns on Crete are called Kasteli. This Kastelli is situated on a fertile plain 36km southeast of Heraklion, south of Chersonisos on the Chersonisos - Ano Vianos road. Sometimes it is also called Kasteli Pediados (after the area) in order to distinguish it from other villages with the same name. This village is a little bit larger and has more shops, taverns and facilities than the surrounding villages. Nowadays a little over 2000 people live in the village of Kasteli. There are many Byzantine churches in the area. At one time there was a Venetian castle here although there are no remains of this castle left. On the place where it was once situated now stands the village school. South of the village lies a military airport. There are plans to enlarge this airport in order to take over air traffic that is now going to the airport of Heraklion.

Besides the good tavernas Kasteli has not an awful lot to offer to the tourists. However it is fun to make a walk through the back streets of this village to look at the old houses with their wooden doors and pots with flowers. The area around the village is also quite suitable for making nature walks. In the region around Kasteli many grape plants grow that are used to produce wine, and there are also many olive orchards. Every Wednesday there is a market in Kasteli where local products are offered.

In Kastelli there are four churches which contain Byzantine frescoes: the Afentis Christos, Agia Fotini, Agios Georgios Revithiotis and Agios Ionnis Romanito church. Excavations made behind the Agios Georgios church show that there already was a settlement here before the Minoan period. Four kilometers from Kasteli are the remains of the Doric city Lytos. It was once an important city and a great rival of Knossos. The city was rebuilt in the Roman period. After that the city of Lytos flourished again. The remains of a fortress and an aqueduct were uncovered. A number of marble statues that were uncovered during the dig are on display in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. At a distance of seven kilometers north of Kasteli located near the village Smari lie on a hill the remains of an acropolis dating from about 700 BC and a wall that dates back to the Minoan period.

Kalliopi Hotel - Kasteli Pediados

Kalliopi Hotel offers self-catering accommodation and a swimming pool set amidst a lovely garden in the area of Kasteli Pediados. It also includes a poolside bar and a restaurant. All rooms at Kalliopi enjoy free Wi-Fi access. They are air conditioned and come with a kitchenette and a TV. All rooms also feature a living area and a private balcony. Guests can enjoy coffees, fresh juices and cocktails at the shaded seating area of the bar by the pool. The hotel's restaurant serves local specialities cooked in a traditional stove. The lively town of Chersonissos is 18 km away, while the city of Heraklion is at 38 km. Kalliopi provides private on-site parking free of charge.

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