The Anavlochos ridge is located in the Mirabello region, a transitional area between central and eastern Crete (fig. 1). It consists of a long northwest-southeast crest of dolomitic limestone overlooking the village of Vrachasi, which is situated on its southern slope (fig. 2). The naturally defensive qualities of this mountainous ridge as well as its strategic location have often been noticed. Anavlochos indeed controls the Selinari gorge leading to the valley of Neapoli and the urban center of ancient Dreros, where new research was initiated by the Greek Archaeological Service and the EFA in 2008. Anavlochos also enjoys two exits to the sea: at Sissi, where an important Minoan settlement is under excavation by the Belgian School at Athens since 2007, and at Milatos, where a city-state developed during Archaic times.
The Anavlochos ridge is located in the Mirabello region, a transitional area between central and eastern Crete (fig. 1). It consists of a long northwest-southeast crest of dolomitic limestone overlooking the village of Vrachasi, which is situated on its southern slope (fig. 2). The naturally defensive qualities of this mountainous ridge as well as its strategic location have often been noticed. Anavlochos indeed controls the Selinari gorge leading to the valley of Neapoli and the urban center of ancient Dreros, where new research was initiated by the Greek Archaeological Service and the EFA in 2008. Anavlochos also enjoys two exits to the sea: at Sissi, where an important Minoan settlement is under excavation by the Belgian School at Athens since 2007, and at Milatos, where a city-state developed during Archaic times.
Fig. 1: Map of eastern Crete (© F. Gaignerot-Driessen/IMS-FORTH)
Fig. 2: Topographical plan of Anavlochos in 2017 (© EFA/Anavlochos Project)
© EFA / F. Gaignerot-Driessen