History and historical monuments

Lentas is a small village on the southern coast of Crete, situated on the site of the ancient port of Lebena (Levina). The earliest archaeological finds from the area date back to the Neolithic and early Minoan civilisations, but it was during the Hellenistic-Roman period that Lentas flourished most, when it was one of the two ports of Gortys. Gortys became the new administrative and social centre of Crete after the conquest of Crete by the Romans and the fall of the then most powerful Minoan city, Knossos.

Around the 4th century BC, the Gortys discovered a healing spring near the port of Lentas and built a sanctuary dedicated to the divine physician Asclepius. During Roman rule, wealthy Romans (mainly from the North African region) are said to have come here to be treated by the mineral spring that springs up near the temple of Asclepius. Unfortunately, a devastating earthquake in 46 BC caused great damage to the temple, which was subsequently reconstructed and rebuilt.

In the early Christian period, at the turn of the 5th and 6th centuries, a small Byzantine basilica was built on the ruins of the temple. It was the material from the ruined temple of Asclepius that was used for its construction. Later, in the 14th century, a new church of St. John the Evangelist was built on the site of the old basilica, which has survived to the present day.

The archaeological site of Lentas is located to the east of the village and contains several interesting remains from the sanctuary of Asclepius - the remains of an altar, two marble columns, the base of a statue of Asclepius and part of a Roman floor mosaic of Hippocampus (a mythical animal, half horse and half fish). The remains of a Roman bath have been uncovered at the site of the spring. Today, the small archaeological site is dominated by the Chapel of St. John.

The village of Lentas today

The old fishing village began to awaken with the onset of the 20th century, but it was only in the 1970s, under the influence of increasing tourism, that it saw visible development. Today, Lentas is a small and popular tourist resort located in a small bay at the foot of Mount Asterousia. The resort of Lendas is situated in a very quiet tourist area, on the southern coast of Crete, near the town of Gortys. Lentas falls under the regional unit of Heraklion.

The name Lentas comes from the Greek word "Leondas", translated as "lion". And on the western side of the coast you will see a rock jutting out into the sea, which resembles one of these lions.

Lentas - amenities and beaches

The village retains its traditional and pleasant character thanks to the fact that there are no large hotel resorts, but rather smaller apartments, mostly in typical Greek style and with a beautiful view of the sea. But even the more demanding clients will be satisfied, because some apartments are very luxurious.

During your stay in the seaside town you can try several local restaurants and tavernas serving delicious Greek food and delicious drinks. Such a nice local custom is that you will be invited into the restaurant's kitchen to make your own selection of fresh seafood and other ingredients. There are also a couple of bars where you can still enjoy a summer cocktail after the sun goes down.

The eponymous, pebble and sandy beach of Lendas adjoins the town and gently sinks into the crystal clear sea. The rocky walls of the bay protect both the beach and the sea from adverse weather conditions, making Lendas Beach ideal for swimming and lounging.

For whom the centre is suitable

Lentas is a small and quiet resort, ideal for romantic walks and enjoying the stunning mountain scenery. Thanks to the fact that the tourist resort is hidden in a picturesque bay, the sea is calm and beautifully warm. The disadvantage of this place is the poorer transport accessibility and the great distance from the main tourist centres of the island.

More touristic destinations of Crete

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.