The picturesque village of Agioi Deka is situated in the fertile plain of Messara, in the prefecture of Heraklion. It is located in the area where the two main roads of central Crete intersect (one coming from the north, from the capital Heraklion, and the other stretching around the southern coast of the island).

The village of Agioi Deka was built at the foot of a green hill overlooking the Messarian plain and the remains of the ancient city of Gortys, which developed from the Minoan period onwards, and especially afterwards during the rule of the Roman Empire. In the construction of the houses of the modern village, the locals also used building stones from ancient Gortys, including decorative columns or marble slabs. Plus, it is believed that a Gortine cemetery once existed on the site of today's Agioi Deka village.

The name of the village translates as 'ten saints' and refers to an event in 250 AD when ten Cretan men were martyred here during the religious persecutions of the Roman Emperor Decius. In memory of these Christian martyrs, a 12th-century church was later built on the same site (now the centre of the village with a square). On the outskirts of the village there is another, younger church, which includes several tombs of religious martyrs. The village of Agioi Deka is also significant because it was the seat of the first Cretan bishop, St Titus, the patron saint of Crete.

Agioi Deka is not one of the typical holiday resorts, of which there are many in Crete. It's a beautiful inland village with an interesting history, unique houses and stunning views of the surrounding area. Thanks to all this and its strategic location, Agioi Deka is an important tourist destination and there are several small tavernas and shops along the main road, but don't expect any wider tourist services from this village. There is also a small archaeological museum with finds from the area.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Zaros

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.