John Sheldon's photos with the keyword: Crete

Voulismeni Lake (Λίμνη Βουλισμένη) at Agios Nikolaos, Crete. In mythology, this lake was used for swimming by the Goddess Athena (Pallas Athena) - the patron goddess of Athens who established trial by jury at the Aeropagos. In folklore the lake is bottomless, or the mouth of an extinct volcano (despite being entirely sedimentary rock). The Pallas Athena story is more believable.

Ekklisia Agios Konstantinos ke Agia Eleni. Εκκλησία Άγιος Κωνσταντίνος και Αγιά Ελένη Interesting two-directional cross on the church dome, visible as a cross facing east-west and north-south.

Interesting mixture of Greek and English in the signage. (Also a German beer sign.) The Marilena Restaurant is highly recommended, friendly and good food.

Part of the costal path around the island of Spinalonga, Crete.

A large plant of the succulent type grows sheltered by a tree on a hillside on the Island of Spinalonga, near Crete. The plant is probably a cactus of the spineless prickly pear variety, for example 'Opuntia cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’.

Poppies growing in the parched ground by a wall in the former leper colony on the island of Spinalonga just off the coast of Crete. "Life will find a way."

An old tree which appears to be half dead, half alive. At the Knossos Palace on the Island of Crete.

A place of great strategic importance for many centuries, Spinalonga island became a home for leprosy sufferers in the early 20th century. It is now uninhabited and a venue for tourists who reach it from the mainland by boat. The mainland of Crete is in the distance.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. It is noted for its use of luxury materials, complex 'labyrinthine' architectural plan, advanced building techniques (including measures against earthquake damage and drainage that still works) and impressive size. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. The 'North Propylaeum' is the North Entrance to the Palace and it is located at the end of the road from the harbour.

The Throne Room at Knossos Palace is popularly thought to have been the place where the kings of the Minoan civilisation sat in state. It could equally have been a room dedicated to religious purposes, perhaps the main shrine in the Palace. This might explain the low ceiling and sense of mystery. The throne would have been where or a priestess representing the deity sat. (Minoan religion appears to have been founded on a mother goddess figure.) The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. It is noted for its use of luxury materials, complex 'labyrinthine' architectural plan, advanced building techniques (including measures against earthquake damage and drainage that still works) and impressive size. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. The Grand Staircase is in the east wing of the Palace. It was once thought to have led down stairs to the royal apartments, but recent opinion holds that the rooms below would have been too gloomy for royal occupation. There are 54 stairs, remarkably well preserved.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. This ramp lies at the end of the road from the sea. Its narrowness is believed to be for security reasons. The rest of the site does not suggest that smallness was important to Minoan architects.

This is one of the oldest and best preserved ancient roads in Europe. It originally ran from the sea, through the town, to the Palace. The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE.

This high rock wall has been created by erosion. The cave like openings are the channels where underground rivers used to run.

I love work, I could watch it all day.

On the waterfront in the town of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas) on the island of Crete stands this 2012 Sculpture depicting Zeus and Europa. Zeus was the chief god in Greek mythology. His eye was caught by Europa, the daughter of the king of Phoenicia and he gained her trust on the Phoenician beaches disguised as a beautiful, friendly bull. Eventually Europa gained the confidence to ride on the animal's back. Zeus entered the Mediterranean Sea and took her to Crete (where he had spent his infancy). Their relationship lasted long enough to produce three children, one of whom was King Minos. He is credited with founding the first European civilisation which was based at Knossos on the island of Crete; his mother gave the continent of Europe its name. These stories are myths, but the Minoan civilisation of 4000 years ago was factual and magnificent.

On the waterfront in the town of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas) on the island of Crete stands this 2012 Sculpture depicting Zeus and Europa. Zeus was the chief god in Greek mythology. His eye was caught by Europa, the daughter of the king of Phoenicia and he gained her trust on the Phoenician beaches disguised as a beautiful, friendly bull. Eventually Europa gained the confidence to ride on the animal's back. Zeus entered the Mediterranean Sea and took her to Crete (where he had spent his infancy). Their relationship lasted long enough to produce three children, one of whom was King Minos. He is credited with founding the first European civilisation which was based at Knossos on the island of Crete; his mother gave the continent of Europe its name. These stories are myths, but the Minoan civilisation of 4000 years ago was factual and magnificent.

The Cornucopia sculpture at Agios Nikolaos, Crete, which celebrates the creation of the Cornucopia by Zeus from one of Amalthea's horns. Amalthea was a goat who nursed Zeus in his infancy. The sculptors were Nikos and Pandelis Sotiriadi.