Discover Kounavi

If you are considering a destination with a history of wine-growing and archaeological interest for your trip, Kounavi offers several distinct points of interest. These include preserved wine presses and a Venetian-Ottoman bridge, as well as cemeteries and finds from various periods. This can help you decide whether to focus mainly on the history of wine-growing, historic buildings, or archaeological periods as you plan your visit.

Wine-Growing and Historic Buildings

Wine-growing in the Kounávoi area can be traced back to the 13th century. Masonry wine presses from the 15th and 16th centuries have been preserved and bear witness to the area's winemaking history. The history of wine-growing and the dating of the preserved presses represent different historical layers.

Wine presses are located near Agios Nikolaos, where the church of Agios Konstantinos also stands, as well as at Skepasta Patitiria, Korakia, and Simianou Lakkos. Vaulted wine presses have been preserved at the latter three sites. Several named places are therefore part of the local history of wine-growing. Kounávoi is also home to the Venetian-Ottoman bridge called “του Σουλάχη η Καμάρα” — another historic structure in the village.

Archaeological Traces Through Time

At the prehistoric-geometric cemetery in Kounávoi is a tholos tomb considered unique in north-central Crete. At Vathyiades, part of a geometric cemetery dating from the 11th to 8th century BC was excavated; Roman tombs from the 2nd century AD were also excavated at the same site. Vathyiades therefore brings together two periods far apart in time: a cemetery from the Geometric period and tombs from the Roman era.

Finds at Ellinika include inscriptions, a grave stele depicting a young woman, and architectural remains from the 7th to 6th century BC. They are connected with the location of the ancient city of Eltynia. Hellenistic votive reliefs dating from the 4th to 1st century BC were found at Skenteri. The different dates help distinguish the sites chronologically: the Archaic remains at Ellinika and the Hellenistic reliefs at Skenteri belong to different periods. Together with the Geometric and Roman traces at Vathyiades, they span a broad stretch of time.

Eltynia in Its Regional Context

In the wider region, the territory of the ancient city of Eltynia, also known as Eltyna or Eltynaia, extended across the present-day villages of Kounávoi, Katalagari, and Peza, as well as the settlements of Zagourianoi and Komes. Eltynia is therefore a historical reference point for several present-day places. This regional context differs from specific information about an individual findspot such as Ellinika or Skenteri, giving the archaeological sites a broader geographical setting.

Landscape and Visit Planning

The church of Agios Panteleimon is about 300 meters from the main settlement of Kounávoi, amid vineyards. Along the road toward Kounávoi, vineyards stand alongside olive trees. These details refer to two different settings: the area around the church and the road toward the village.

The Titakis Wines winery in Kounávoi has a tasting room for five people. Visits are possible from April to November, Monday to Friday, from 12:00 to 16:00; arrange your visit with the winery in advance.

Discover more destinations: Finikia, Pentamodi, Kato Kalesia, Mires, Archanes, Kroussonas, Mália, Skafidaras

For the main travel overview: Heraklion.